By Sgt. John Queen
FORWARD OPERATING BASE INDEPENDENCE, Iraq -- The Purple Heart is a combat decoration that Soldiers of Task Force 1-9 Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team have become all too familiar with during their tour of duty here in Iraq.
Nine more of the medals were awarded November 30 to Soldiers of the task force who were wounded during operations in their sector of Baghdad. That brings the total number Purple Heart Medals received by the unit to 124 since the beginning Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
After presenting the Purple Hearts, Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the division commander, also awarded Army Commendation Medals and Combat Infantry Badges to Soldiers of the unit.
In a brief speech, Chiarelli praised the 9th Cavalry troopers for the job they've done since deploying to Iraq in March.
"I am humble to be in the presence of this battalion," Chiarelli said. "I thank you for what you people do everyday. You are making a tremendous difference in Baghdad and Iraq."
Task Force 1-9 operates in one of the most dangerous sections of the Iraqi capital, which includes the infamous Haifa Street.
"Though it is not always visible from where you are." Chiarelli continued, "you are asserting yourself in an area of Baghdad where we've had a hard time even getting the Iraqi police to go."
One recipient of the Purple Heart, Spc. Robert Gordon, a Squad Automatic Weapons gunner for Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, said it was an honor to receive it.
"I never thought I would get one," Gordon said. "I had just left the infantry line unit and went to [headquarters company]."
Gordon and another Soldier were wounded in a grenade attack while on a mission to recover the bodies of two Iraqi policemen who had been killed. He still has a small piece of shrapnel embedded three inches inside his body.
The Purple Heart is a medal that their platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Orlando Garcia, wished they didn't get.
"I'm just glad the injuries were not life threatening," he said. "But, the Purple Heart is something they do deserve."
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2004 10:10 |
| Story ID: | 703 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE INDEPENDENCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 18 |
This work, (Nearly) All Gave Some / Task Force Awards 124th Purple Heart, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
