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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 18, 2010 - 5:39:57 PM |
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"Dragon" Brigade Soldiers receive oldest award
By Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 1st Infantry Division
Dec 1, 2009 - 6:18:03 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., pins the Purple Heart on Staff Sgt. Andre Gonzales, a military police squad leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, during a ceremony, Nov. 18 at Forward Operating Base Bernstein. (Courtesy photo) |
TUZ, Iraq - During an award ceremony held at Forward Operating Base Bernstein, three Soldiers with the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., received the Purple Heart.
Spc. Jeffrey Fugitt, Staff Sgt. Andre Gonzales and Pvt. Kasey Huff, all military police with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4-1 BSTB received the "oldest military decoration in the world" still in use, and the "first American award made available to the common Soldier" for wounds they suffered when an RKG-3 antitank grenade was thrown at their convoy, Oct. 11.
As their fellow "Wolverine" battalion Soldiers looked on, Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, pinned the medal onto his Soldiers.
"To have Col. Arnold there to actually give us the award and then to have everyone else there," said Pvt. Huff, "...just felt really good."
"It was good to be recognized," said Spc. Fugitt.
According to the website, purpleheart.org, the Purple Heart was founded by Gen. George Washington who wanted to recognize the "outstanding valor and merit" of his men by "granting a commission or an advance in rank to deserving individuals."
After Congress submitted to stop that practice in the summer of 1782, because of lack of funds, Gen. Washington wrote the "General Orders of August 7, 1782" that read, "The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward."
"It's definitely an honor," said Staff Sgt. Gonzales, "and a reminder that you're not forgotten."
"It's something that no one can take away from them," he said, about his Soldiers receiving the Purple Heart. "No one can question their service now."
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. McCoy, command sergeant major of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., congratulates Pvt. Kasey Huff, a military police Solder with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, after she received the Purple Heart during a ceremony, Nov. 18 at Forward Operating Base Bernstein. (Courtesy photo) |
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