Posted on Dec 9, 2021
Army approves 39 Purple Hearts for 2020 Iran missile attack
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Edited 3 y ago
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Army to award Purple Hearts to 39 soldiers injured in Iran missile attack following CBS News repo...
The Army will award the Purple Heart to 39 soldiers injured when Iran struck their airbase in Iraq with ballistic missiles. This comes after a CBS News inves...
Thank you my friend MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. for making us aware that the US Army approved 39 Purple Hearts for 2020 Iran missile attack.
Prayers for healing of physical and mental trauma thsese soldiers experienced in the Iranian missile attack. By God's grace- in Christ
The Army will award the Purple Heart to 39 soldiers injured when Iran struck their airbase in Iraq with ballistic missiles. This comes after a CBS News investigation revealed the soldiers were denied the honor and the medical benefits that come with it, despite appearing to qualify
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTCIxjNEA20
"Most of the 39 soldiers suffered traumatic brain injuries in the attack, which came amid a period of spiraling tensions in the region after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. The email included a list of awardees, which included Sgt. 1st Class Daine Kvasager, who told CBS News last month about how his injuries have changed his life.
“The person I was prior to a traumatic brain injury, he’s gone,” Kvasager told CBS News. “There’s parts that remain. The pieces are all still there, just — yeah, he’s not coming back.”
According to CBS, the Army reconsidered the awards after Col. Gregory Fix, commander of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, wrote a letter arguing on behalf of the troops who had been under his command at the time.
Another soldier interviewed by CBS, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Pridgeon, also received the award, as did Spc. Jason Quitugua, who will receive the Purple Heart posthumously. The junior enlisted soldier died by suicide following his injuries.
“He struggled, you know, like we all are, like I am,” Kvasager, who served with Quitugua, told CBS News. “It’s just heartbreaking.”
Other soldiers on the list are stationed at Fort Bragg, Fort Rucker, Fort Carson, Fort Bliss and Fort Drum. Army Times is withholding the names of soldiers who have not spoken publicly about their injuries out of respect for their privacy.
More than two dozen troops have already received Purple Hearts in connection to the attack, and the new awards will more than double that total.
Why were the Purple Hearts delayed?
According to CBS, the Pentagon may have initially set an “arbitrary” standard for the awards: injured troops medically evacuated from the base received a Purple Heart, and those who remained did not.
In the immediate wake of the attack, then-President Donald Trump downplayed its impact — describing the injuries as “headaches.” That led to political pressure to award fewer Purple Hearts, the injured soldiers argued.
An inspector general report released in November also faulted U.S. Central Command for improperly tracking the TBIs.
The awards are important because they are directly tied to major benefits for wounded troops — priority Veterans Affairs medical care, educational benefits, disability consideration and various state-level benefits."
FYI SSG William JonesSPC Chris Hallgrimson SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson SFC Ralph E Kelley LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see)SPC Michael Terrell GySgt Thomas Vick CPL Douglas Chrysler GySgt Jack Wallace Cpl Vic Burk SGT Randell Rose LTC John Mohor1SG Joseph Dartey SPC Margaret Higgins SSG Donald H "Don" Bates SPC Woody BullardSFC Russell Shaw
SSgt Joseph Baptist
Prayers for healing of physical and mental trauma thsese soldiers experienced in the Iranian missile attack. By God's grace- in Christ
The Army will award the Purple Heart to 39 soldiers injured when Iran struck their airbase in Iraq with ballistic missiles. This comes after a CBS News investigation revealed the soldiers were denied the honor and the medical benefits that come with it, despite appearing to qualify
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTCIxjNEA20
"Most of the 39 soldiers suffered traumatic brain injuries in the attack, which came amid a period of spiraling tensions in the region after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. The email included a list of awardees, which included Sgt. 1st Class Daine Kvasager, who told CBS News last month about how his injuries have changed his life.
“The person I was prior to a traumatic brain injury, he’s gone,” Kvasager told CBS News. “There’s parts that remain. The pieces are all still there, just — yeah, he’s not coming back.”
According to CBS, the Army reconsidered the awards after Col. Gregory Fix, commander of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, wrote a letter arguing on behalf of the troops who had been under his command at the time.
Another soldier interviewed by CBS, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Pridgeon, also received the award, as did Spc. Jason Quitugua, who will receive the Purple Heart posthumously. The junior enlisted soldier died by suicide following his injuries.
“He struggled, you know, like we all are, like I am,” Kvasager, who served with Quitugua, told CBS News. “It’s just heartbreaking.”
Other soldiers on the list are stationed at Fort Bragg, Fort Rucker, Fort Carson, Fort Bliss and Fort Drum. Army Times is withholding the names of soldiers who have not spoken publicly about their injuries out of respect for their privacy.
More than two dozen troops have already received Purple Hearts in connection to the attack, and the new awards will more than double that total.
Why were the Purple Hearts delayed?
According to CBS, the Pentagon may have initially set an “arbitrary” standard for the awards: injured troops medically evacuated from the base received a Purple Heart, and those who remained did not.
In the immediate wake of the attack, then-President Donald Trump downplayed its impact — describing the injuries as “headaches.” That led to political pressure to award fewer Purple Hearts, the injured soldiers argued.
An inspector general report released in November also faulted U.S. Central Command for improperly tracking the TBIs.
The awards are important because they are directly tied to major benefits for wounded troops — priority Veterans Affairs medical care, educational benefits, disability consideration and various state-level benefits."
FYI SSG William JonesSPC Chris Hallgrimson SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson SFC Ralph E Kelley LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see)SPC Michael Terrell GySgt Thomas Vick CPL Douglas Chrysler GySgt Jack Wallace Cpl Vic Burk SGT Randell Rose LTC John Mohor1SG Joseph Dartey SPC Margaret Higgins SSG Donald H "Don" Bates SPC Woody BullardSFC Russell Shaw
SSgt Joseph Baptist
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LTC Stephen F.
Never-before-seen video of the attack on Al Asad Airbase
David Martin speaks with troops who were there as an Iranian ballistic missile attack rained down on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, part of six days that saw the U...
Prayers for healing of physical and mental trauma thsese soldiers experienced in the Iranian missile attack. By God's grace- in Christ
Never-before-seen video of the attack on Al Asad Airbase
David Martin speaks with troops who were there as an Iranian ballistic missile attack rained down on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, part of six days that saw the U.S. and Iran go to the brink of war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGP7hZQuTL0&t=18s
FYI LTC Greg Henning GySgt Jack Wallace MSG Greg Kelly MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter LTC (Join to see) SFC Jim RuetherSPC Terry PageMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope SrCWO4 Terrence Clark CPL Ronald Keyes Jr Lt Col Charlie Brown SGT Charlie Lee Sgt (Join to see)
Never-before-seen video of the attack on Al Asad Airbase
David Martin speaks with troops who were there as an Iranian ballistic missile attack rained down on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, part of six days that saw the U.S. and Iran go to the brink of war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGP7hZQuTL0&t=18s
FYI LTC Greg Henning GySgt Jack Wallace MSG Greg Kelly MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter LTC (Join to see) SFC Jim RuetherSPC Terry PageMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope SrCWO4 Terrence Clark CPL Ronald Keyes Jr Lt Col Charlie Brown SGT Charlie Lee Sgt (Join to see)
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GySgt Jack Wallace
Amen, and hope for a normal healthy life. I would like to take the time to Salute you 39 for your service and for giving up on yourself!!!!
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