Photo By Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato | Col. Gary Williams, chaplain, 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, prays with Army...... read more read more
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Spc. Garratt Williams, a multi-channel transmission systems operator maintainer, A Company, 392nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, received a Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge on July 16 after being injured by small arms fire while traveling in a Chinook in the southern part of Afghanistan.
Williams, who was injured in his right eye with bullet fragments, was treated at the Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Bagram and prepped for movement to Germany for surgery.
Upon receiving his medal and badge from Brig. Gen. Warren Phipps, deputy commanding general of support, Combined Joint Task Force 101, Williams said he was feeling very lucky. “I’m just blessed to have my other eye.”
The prognosis on his injured eye will not be concrete until he gets into Germany, said Williams. In addition to military medical support, Williams said he also has a number of connections in the ophthalmology industry in Atlanta through his civilian job as a mobile laser technician.
“Ideally, I hope I will get my vision back.”
Though Williams said he feels very lucky considering the situation, there is still one thing that disappoints the Soldier who just requested to extend his deployment. “It upsets me that I cannot RIP [Relief in Place] with my team.”
The Army Reservist deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in January in support of the signal mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. Originally, the Jonesboro, Ga., resident, was assigned to C Company, 324th ESB located in East Point but transferred to the 392nd ESB, a subordinate unit to the 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, for the deployment.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2010 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 52985 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 694 |
| Downloads: | 400 |
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