Purple Heart presented to ‘Magnificent Seventh’ Marine

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
Story by Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya

Date: 12.05.2013
Posted: 12.05.2013 16:54
News ID: 117804
'Magnificent Seventh' Marine awarded Purple Heart

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Col. Jay M. Bargeron, commanding officer, 7th Marine Regiment, presented Sgt. Christopher Travis, intelligence targeting chief, Headquarters Company, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Myrtle Beach, S.C. with a Purple Heart medal at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Nov. 27, 2013.

Travis earned the medal for injuries sustained while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“It is an honor to receive this significant award,” Travis said. “It is an award not many Marines want because of what has to happen to receive it, but it truly is an honor to wear this.”

The Purple Heart medal is one of the noblest medals awarded today. The medal is earned by service members or civilian nationals of the United States who are severely wounded or killed while under the authority of one of the United States Armed Services.

Travis suffered from a traumatic brain injury and loss of memory after being hit by an improvised explosive device.

“I can’t remember much after the explosion,” Travis said. “I remember taking fire after we got hit but after that it is a blur.”

Travis and the Marines with him were engaged in a fire fight until their unit’s quick reaction force arrived to provide support.

“I am very proud to say one of my Marines received this award,” Bargeron said. “Now we get back to training and prepare for the next time we are called into action.”

Travis plans on continuing his career by transferring to Marine Aircraft Group 26.