Private 1st Class David Anderson, of Edmond, recently received the prestigious Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat after he was wounded in a firefight in eastern Afghanistan. Anderson is currently deployed with the 1st Battalion, 180th Infantry as part of a security force for the Afghan National Army training mission.
Anderson and several other members of his rifle company were engaged in a fire fight with Anti-Coalition Forces when he was struck in the back of the head by an RPG fragment. Anderson and most of his company have been supporting the Tenth Mountain Division and several other Coalition Forces in the Peshwan River Valley and along the eastern border of Afghanistan.
Anderson said that he was honored to be the first member of the 180th to receive the Purple Heart in over 50 years. "I didn't do much and I'm getting this medal that heroes have gotten, it's great getting this, but I had to get injured in the process." Anderson received the medal during a Combat Infantry Badge presentation ceremony held by Company C commander Capt. Kevin Roland and 1st Sgt. Robert Williams. Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Bobby Yandell pinned Anderson as his peers looked on. "I'm honored to present one of our Soldiers with this award and I just hope I don't have to do it again, and I'm glad Private 1st Class Anderson is here to receive it." Yandell said in front of the Company. Anderson is actually a member of Company A, 1/180th headquartered in Edmond. He was attached to Company C after the unit deployed to Afghanistan last March.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, who has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded under any of the following circumstances: In any action against an enemy of the United States; In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged: While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force; after March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack; and, after March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
Anderson and several other members of his rifle company were engaged in a fire fight with Anti-Coalition Forces when he was struck in the back of the head by an RPG fragment. Anderson and most of his company have been supporting the Tenth Mountain Division and several other Coalition Forces in the Peshwan River Valley and along the eastern border of Afghanistan.
Anderson said that he was honored to be the first member of the 180th to receive the Purple Heart in over 50 years. "I didn't do much and I'm getting this medal that heroes have gotten, it's great getting this, but I had to get injured in the process." Anderson received the medal during a Combat Infantry Badge presentation ceremony held by Company C commander Capt. Kevin Roland and 1st Sgt. Robert Williams. Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Bobby Yandell pinned Anderson as his peers looked on. "I'm honored to present one of our Soldiers with this award and I just hope I don't have to do it again, and I'm glad Private 1st Class Anderson is here to receive it." Yandell said in front of the Company. Anderson is actually a member of Company A, 1/180th headquartered in Edmond. He was attached to Company C after the unit deployed to Afghanistan last March.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, who has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded under any of the following circumstances: In any action against an enemy of the United States; In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged: While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force; after March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack; and, after March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
Cpl Larkin
05FEB07
2 comments:
So glad to see he is doing well!!!
Great picture of you and Sgt Dub on the sidebar!!!
We're thinking of you both!!!
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