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Former commander presents Purple Heart to Wounded Warrior

By Army North PAOOctober 22, 2013

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy congratulates Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka after presenting the Purple Heart Medal to him Oct. 18 during a ceremony at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "I decided that there was no one better than Maj. Gen. Roy to present my Purple Heart, and he was here (in San Antonio)," Matayka said. "I am deeply honored that (he) chose to do it." Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as the deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army).
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy congratulates Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka after presenting the Purple Heart Medal to him Oct. 18 during a ceremony at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "I decided that there was no one better than Maj. Gen. Roy to present my Purple Heart, and he was here (in San Antonio)," Matayka said. "I am deeply honored that (he) chose to do it." Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as the deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). (Photo Credit: Robert Shields, BAMC PAO) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes (left) and Maj. Gen. William Roy prepare to present the Purple Heart Medal to Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka during a ceremony Oct. 18 at the Warrior and Family Support Center. Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). Rhodes is the senior enlisted leader for Army North, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. Also pictured are Matayka's wife, Karen, and their two children.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes (left) and Maj. Gen. William Roy prepare to present the Purple Heart Medal to Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka during a ceremony Oct. 18 at the Warrior and Family Support Center. Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). Rhodes is the senior enlisted leader for Army North, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. Also pictured are Matayka's wife, Karen, and their two children. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher DeHart, Army North PAO) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes meet with Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka following a Purple Heart Medal ceremony Oct. 18 at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "There is no other place I'd (rather) be on this planet than here, today, to present the Purple Heart to Ed and recognize the sacrifices that he and his family made in support of our nation," Roy said. Roy serves as deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). Rhodes is the senior enlisted leader for Army North, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes meet with Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka following a Purple Heart Medal ceremony Oct. 18 at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "There is no other place I'd (rather) be on this planet than here, today, to present the Purple Heart to Ed and recognize the sacrifices that he and his family made in support of our nation," Roy said. Roy serves as deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). Rhodes is the senior enlisted leader for Army North, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. (Photo Credit: Robert Shields, BAMC PAO) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy makes opening remarks at the Purple Heart Medal presentation ceremony Oct. 18 for Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "It gives me great honor to be here today to present to you our nation's Purple Heart (medal) in recognition of your tremendous sacrifices," Roy said to his former Soldier. Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as the deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army).
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Roy makes opening remarks at the Purple Heart Medal presentation ceremony Oct. 18 for Staff Sgt. Edward Matayka at the Warrior and Family Support Center. "It gives me great honor to be here today to present to you our nation's Purple Heart (medal) in recognition of your tremendous sacrifices," Roy said to his former Soldier. Matayka, a combat medic, served with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard, when he was wounded in July 2010. The brigade was commanded by (then Col.) Roy, who now serves as the deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army). (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher DeHart, Army North PAO) VIEW ORIGINAL

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