Photo By Spc. Jamie Philbrook | DA Photo shows Sgt. 1st Class Darryl Robinson.... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. --Two days before his daughter’s 11th birthday, his truck was hit with an incendiary improvised explosive device near Baghdad. Sgt. 1st Class Darryl Robinson, 43, was driving towards Forward Operating Base Warhorse in the spring of 2002.
Robinson is now works in the Distribution Management Center, 1st Theater Sustainment Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. On the 230th Anniversary of the Purple Heart, Robinson reflected and recounts how he earned his a decade ago.
“We were coming back on a usual route, we were about 50 klicks from the F.O.B. and my fuel truck was struck with an incendiary I.E.D.,” said Robinson, a four time veteran and New Orleans native.
The intense heat of the explosion severely burned his troop commander. Flames penetrated the passenger side window and door. Instinctively, Robinson slammed his foot on the brake pedal.
“I got out and went from ‘safe’ to ‘semi’, and engaged the enemy with suppressive fire,” said Robinson. “I worked my way around the vehicle towards my troop commander. I snatched him out of the vehicle and got him to safety. Then, I headed back to the rest of my platoon and continued fighting.”
With adrenaline running though his veins, he focused on the mission and kept his troops safe. It wasn’t until the next day that he realized the true extent of his own injuries.
Historically, the Purple Heart dates back to Aug. 1782 when Gen. George Washington established it. Originally, the badge was to recognize "any singularly meritorious action." After the Revolutionary War, it fell out of use until World War I.
A Purple Heart medal is now awarded to those who have been wounded or killed while in combat. It is one of the military’s oldest and most prestigious recognitions.
From the report that had been sent up, Robinson knew that he would be receiving a Purple Heart. Despite being injured in the line of duty by an enemy attack, he didn’t feel entitled to the recognition.
Initially, Robinson couldn’t even gauge the severity of his burns. Once the gauze was removed, he realized how much of his skin had boiled away.
“Others may feel that having your face and hands burned would be enough,” said Robinson. “I just did not feel that I was worthy. Some of my comrades may have lost legs and other limbs while others gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Robinson’s modesty is balanced by the high esteem he has for the award itself. When he sees another service member donning the award, he offers his humble thanks without mentioning that he also wears one.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2012 09:22 |
| Story ID: | 93179 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Burning memories on the 230th anniversary of the Purple Heart, by SPC Jamie Philbrook, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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