Free Republic

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2005) -- An Athens, Ga. native was presented the Purple Heart Medal here Nov. 10 for wounds received in combat in Iraq. Lance Cpl. John T. Shepard, a 31-year-old boat mechanic formerly with Small Craft Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and several members of his unit had been conducting a foot patrol through Ramadi’s streets in August when they were ambushed by several insurgents. The capital city of western Iraq’s Al Anbar province is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Baghdad, and has been a focal point of resistance against U.S....