Six Awarded Purple Hearts

The Associated Press ^ | 3/8/2002 | The Associated Press

[grimalkin]

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan March 8 — The U.S. military awarded six Purple Heart medals Friday to soldiers who were wounded in the ongoing offensive against al-Qaida in eastern Afghanistan.

The simple ceremony honored those serving in the 10th Mountain and the 101st Airborne Divisions who were taking part in Operation Anaconda, the U.S.-led attack on al-Qaida strongholds in the mountains south of Gardez.

"I'm just happy that everyone made it out of there," said Sgt. Taji Moore, 25, of Moreno Valley, Calif., who was wounded while saving the life of another soldier during a mortar attack.

Others honored included Capt. William Ryan, 29, an Apache helicopter pilot who was injured when a round struck the canopy of his helicopter. Ryan's hometown was not available.

Ryan flew a combat mission the next day, said Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick, the spokesman for 101st in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Others awarded the Purple Heart included Sgt. 1st Class Robert H. Healy, 34, of Michigan (hometown not available); Sgt. James Rissler, 24, Newark, Ohio; Sgt. David Smith, 25, Mantual, N.J.; and Sgt. William Sakisat, age and hometown not available.

[Freemyland]

Some choose to bleed for their country, while others choose to sit in their Senate Majority Leader booster seat and bitch.

[HiJinx]

Some choose to bleed for their country...

Whether it happens or not, each has volunteered to possibly die for his or her country, while that lily-livered sack of donkey dung has the temerity to hide in his ivory tower and question his Commander-in-Chief.

Well, only in America...that's why those guys are being honored...

I just hope South Dakota voters remember this when L'il Tommy comes up for reelection.

[BlueNgold]

Are any other pictures of this ceremony available?
Please post if possible!

[grimalkin]

U.S. Maj. Gen. Frank Hagenbeck, third left, congratulates Sgt. William Sakisat, right, who had just received the Purple Heart medal, at Bagram Air Base, 65 km (40 miles) north of Kabul, Friday, March 8, 2002, with Lt. Gen. Paul Mikolashek, second left, and Sgt. David Smith, 25, from Philadelphia, Penn., second right. Others are unidentified. (AP Photo/ Mikhail Metzel)

U.S. Lt. Gen. Paul Mikolashek, left, congratulates Sgt. David Smith, 25, from Philadelphia, Penn., right, who just received a Purple Heart medal, at Bagram Air Base, 65 km (40 miles) north of Kabul, Friday, March 8, 2002. (AP Photo/ Mikhail Metzel)

[bubbafree]

Marcinko called them "enemy marksmanship medals".

[grimalkin]

U.S. soldiers who received Purple Heart medals, stand during a decoration ceremony, Bagram Air Base, 65 km (40 miles) north of Kabul, Friday, March 8, 2002. Shown from left are: Capt. William Ryan, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Healy, Sgt. James Rissler, Sgt. Taji Moore, Sgt. David Smith, Sgt. William Sakisat. (AP Photo/ Mikhail Metzel)

[buzzcat]

That helo pilot, Capt. Ryan, sure is tall. 6'3"? There was or still is a height limit for air force fixed wing pilots. For some reason, I don't think that applies for helos, though.

[Ciexyz]

God bless these brave guys. Thanks for posting their pics.

[4TheFlag]

I just hope South Dakota voters remember

Yeah HJ, we'll remember, this state is overwhelmingly Republican, and are not taking kindly to l'il tommies remarks......

[BluH2o]

Watched the Purple Hearts being awarded on the evening News. My comment to my wife (speaking as a Vietnam era Marine) was they evidently lowered the standard as to whom they now present the award. It used to be, although probably not official, at least a minimal hospital stay was required in order to be awarded the Purple Heart. Based on what I saw, the U.S. Olympic hockey team probably had at least 10 guys who should have been awarded the Purple Heart.

[BluH2o]

A half hour has passed and no one has flammed me ...
It would appear the new relaxed standard, or critera, for awarding the Purple Heart baffles others
as well ...
Any hard chargers out there who were awarded the Purple Heart by tougher standards (example; Bob Dole) care to respond?

[buzzcat]

I have not looked up the specific reg., but I think that when a serviceman is injured in any way (sheds blood, broken hand, etc...) in an engagement with the enemy, he/she is awarded the Purple Heart.