Three MI National Guard Soldiers Receive Purple Heart
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Michigan National Guard (MING) adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Russell III, MING senior enlisted leader, presented the Purple Heart to Soldiers of the MING at the Grand Ledge Army Aviation Support Facility on January 23, 2022. The Soldiers sustained injuries January 8, 2020 during an Iranian ballistic missile attack while deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. At the time of the attack, the injured soldiers were MEDEVAC personnel within Detachment 1, Company C, 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Valentina Viglianco)
The purple heart is a united states military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military. This weekend, three Michigan National Guard soldiers were presented with purple hearts for their service.
At the grand ledge army aviation support facility, governor Gretchen Whitmer recognized three Michigan national guard soldiers with the purple heart for injuries sustained in an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in January of 2020.
About the ceremony, governor Whitmer said quote “I am honored to recognize these soldiers whose dedication and commitment to their mission was clearly demonstrated by their actions while deployed in Iraq. On behalf of the entire state of Michigan, thank you for your service to our state and nation. You are the embodiment of bravery and valor and represent the best of us.” end quote.