Robbins awarded Purple Heart for injuries received in Afghanistan

FORT BLISS, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Nathan T. Robbins, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier with the 689th Engineer Company (Route Clearance) in Orlando, Fla., 841st Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, was presented with a Purple Heart by Brig. Gen. Douglas R. Satterfield, deputy commander of 412th Theater Engineer Command, for injuries received while on a route clearance mission in Afghanistan last year.

Humbled by the experience, Robbins said he is honored to serve and grateful to everyone for making this happen. He was also beamed with excitement that his Family members were there to witness the signifincance of the ocassion.

'It's not often I get to see my family given we're on opposite coasts of the country. I'm extremely thankful to the 412th command, the Warrior Transition Unit team here at Fort Bliss, and especially Sgt. 1st Class Nimnualrata for all their help and support," he said.

His mother Marci Berlo of Anacortes, Wash., and aunt Claire and her husband Don Schaffer of San Francisco, joined Brig. Gen. Satterfield, Command Sgt. Paul Yingst, senior enlisted advisor for 926th Eng. Bde., Lt. Col. MacDonald and Command Sgt. Sanders of 467th Eng. Bn., members of the Warrior Transition Battalion, Purple Heart Lone Star Chapter, and Soldiers in the WTU, in witnessing this important event.

Robbins, a native of San Francisco, Calif., was also presented a Commander's Coin by Brig. Gen. Satterfield, on behalf of Maj. Gen. William M. Buckler, Jr., commanding general of 412th Theater Engineer Command.

(Photos by Sgt. Theresa Brownfield of Bravo Company, Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Bliss, Texas)