Posted on 07/22/2005 5:55:45 PM PDT by SandRat
PENSACOLA, Fla., July 22, 2005 — Surrounded by doctors, hospital officials, and friends, an Army Reservist recovering from wounds sustained in Iraq, received the Purple Heart during a ceremony at the Pensacola Naval Hospital July 14. Sgt. James Terrell of Pensacola, 33, a reservist with the Mobile, Ala.-based 498th Transportation Company was awarded the Purple Heart by Florida Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Stephen Villacorta who was in Pensacola leading the National Guard's recovery efforts after Hurricane Dennis struck the state July 9.
Terrell was injured during an ambush on his convoy July 1, 2004, while driving in a convoy to Samarra from Tikrit, Iraq. An explosion from an improvised explosive device knocked the 6-foot, 3-inch, 220-pound man unconscious as he manned a 50-caliber machine gun on the top of a gun truck.
His best friend, also a reservist with the 498th who suffered wounds to his face from the same explosion, climbed on top of the truck as insurgents fired small arms on the convoy. Terrell credited his friend for saving his life.
“I was out,” Terrell said. “When I came to he was on top of the truck trying to pull me down.”
During his extensive stay at military hospitals around the country Terrell has had two surgeries on his left shoulder, two surgeries on his left thigh, and three surgeries on hisleft knee. He lost 40 percent of his deltoid muscle and suffers from punctured eardrums. “I don't regret anything,” said the veteran of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
Because Terrell will no longer stay in the Army Reserves and cannot perform his civilian job as a mechanic at Solutia in Pensacola his goal is to go to college and later work with children.
Terrell was able to receive treatment at the naval hospital here because of an innovative new program, which allows Guardsmen and Reservists injured on active duty to be treated by doctors at military posts near their hometowns.
The Community Based Health Care Organization, which started in April 2004 in Florida gives Guardsmen and Reservists a chance to heal near their homes and families and eases the burden because loved ones do not have to take as much time away from their jobs, said Maj. Fred Brownstein, an Army Case Manager. Terrell is just one of 26 soldiers currently under his care.
After completing his physical therapy Terrell works light duty at the Naval Hospital's physical therapy office.
In addition to the Purple Heart, Terrell was previously awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation for his actions in Iraq.
In addition to the Purple Heart, Terrell was previously awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation for his actions in Iraq.
Hope he got the CIB too.
Hero Ping.
Change that CIB to the new Combat Action Badge.
Sgt. Terrell, thank you.
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Thanks for the ping!
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