Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Oki | 160831-N-SF508-086 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Aug. 31, 2016) — Capt. John Moulton,...... read more read more
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS/PJ) (Retired) Patrick Flanigan received the Purple Heart Medal during a ceremony in front of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 Headquarters at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Aug. 31.
Flanigan received the medal for wounds sustained in November 2006 during a post-blast analysis operation in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before presenting the medal, Capt. John Moulton, commodore of EODGRU 2, highlighted the bravery and sacrifice made by Flanigan.
“I’m proud we are able to recognize Chief Flanigan for service he has made after almost 10 years,” said Moulton. “On that day, then Petty Officer Flanigan knew exactly what needed to be done and because of that I am thankful for the opportunity to express gratitude for his actions that day and for the sacrifices he has made for this country and this community.”
On Nov. 15, 2006, Flanigan, then an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class, and his team responded to a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle that had been destroyed by an improvised explosive device (IED). Following the IED strike, anti-coalition fighters had made several attempts to set up IEDs around the blast site. That evening, Flanigan and his team eventually arrived at the site after disarming three IEDs enroute to the site. Upon dismounting their vehicles to conduct a post-blast analysis, a large explosion threw Flanigan to the ground, knocking him unconscious. He woke up a short time later, deaf in one ear and with swollen leg and various lacerations to his body after a wall had fallen on him.
“I feel a great relief in the knowledge that the military has recognized the damage done to my brain throughout that deployment,” said Flanigan. “I'm grateful to have served this nation and to be recognized for that sacrifice. I am hopeful that future generations of EOD technicians will benefit from the acknowledgement from the military of the damage to their service members.”
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still being awarded today. Originally, it was called the Badge of Military Merit and was designed by Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution. It was only awarded to soldiers serving in the Army. Eventually, President John F. Kennedy extended the medal to cover all service members in all future wars.
EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), oversees all East Coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 2, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2, and the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2.
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2016 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 208614 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 718 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Retired EOD Technician Receives Purple Heart, by PO1 Charles Oki, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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