FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Two separate ceremonies were held recently to present the Purple Heart Medal to Soldiers recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center from injuries received during combat.
Five wounded warriors were honored for their bravery and selfless sacrifices during the Purple Heart ceremony Jan. 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Maj. Gen. John Campbell, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division hosted and presented the Purple Heart medals and certificates to the wounded warriors.
He welcomed the Purple Heart recipients with words of praise for their courage, dedication and sacrifices they made.
Capt. Douglas McGinnis was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, serving as an infantry officer in Afghanistan when he was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire while dropping a sling load and unloading his element Oct. 12, 2010, resulting in his combat injuries.
McGinnis also received an Army Commendation Medal with Valor for actions while serving as the executive officer during Operation Strong Eagle with 2-327th Infantry Regiment.
Staff Sgt. Wayne Schill, an infantryman, received the Purple Heart medal for his combat injuries while dropping a sling load and unloading his element when he was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire Oct. 12, 2010. He was assigned to 2nd Batta-lion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
Sgt. Jeremiah Leach was assigned to Company A, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device exploded while he was dismounting a route on a clearance mission, resulting in his combat injuries Nov. 8, 2010.
Pfc. Terry Heise, an infantryman, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, sustained combat injuries while on a mounted patrol when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device Oct. 10, 2010.
Pfc. James M. Thorne was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team when he was injured after he stepped on a pressure plate improvised explosive device while conducting dismounted patrol operations resulting in his combat injuries Oct. 8, 2010.
Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commanding general of U. S. Army Materiel Command, presented Spc. Thomas Martin Jr., the Purple Heart at the Warrior and Family Support Center courtyard Jan 13.
Martin was assigned to the 67th Engineer Detachment, Mine Dog, serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan when he was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting mounted combat operations resulting in his combat injuries Oct. 19, 2010.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.
It is specifically a combat decoration and the oldest military honor in the world in use.
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