Army Ranger Josh Hargis wasn’t going to let anything keep him from being a soldier of honor when he was presented with a Purple Heart by his commander. That includes being hospitalized, breathing via a breathing tube while hooked up to multiple medical devices, and his saluting arm and hand being heavily bandaged.
On Oct. 6, an Afghan woman detonated a suicide bomb that injured a dozen American soldiers and killed four members of Cpl. Hargis’ 3rd Army Ranger Battalion while the team was attempting to capture a target in Panjwai, Southern Afghanistan. Hargis was transported to a nearby hospital.
While Hargis was in recovery at the hospital, Hargis’ commander began the Purple Heart presentation ceremony. Everyone in the room thought the brave soldier was unconscious, but he wasn’t. He began to struggle to move his right hand to salute, which is military protocol for soldiers receiving a Purple Heart. A doctor attempted to restrain Hargis, to no avail. Without opening his eyes, Haris brought his hand up and saluted what wife Taylor Hargis called?”the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen.” From Taylor Harris’ Facebook page?and Guardian of Valor:
I received this picture today along with a letter from the commander of the team Josh was a part of on the night of his injuries. A letter to explain to me what kind of man I have the privilege of being married to. He explained to me what happened and what was going on in the picture.
“Josh was seriously wounded as you know and survived for almost two hours after his injury before arriving to the hospital. Josh was immediately pushed through a series of surgeries and emerged hours later into an intensive care unit here at our base in Afghanistan.
“Despite being in intense pain and mental duress, Josh remained alert and compassionate to the limited Rangers that were allowed to visit him bedside. Prior to Josh being moved to Germany for his eventual flight to America, we conducted a ceremony to award him with the Purple Heart for wounds received in action.
“A simple ceremony, you can picture a room full of Rangers, leaders, doctors, and nurses surrounding his bedside while the Ranger Regimental Commander pinned the Purple Heart to his blanket. During the presentation the Commander publishes the official orders verbally and leaned over Josh to thank him for his sacrifice.
“Josh, whom everybody in the room (over 50 people) assumed to be unconscious, began to move his right arm under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the Commander as is customary during these ceremonies. Despite his wounds, wrappings, tubes, and pain, Josh fought the doctor who was trying to restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen. I cannot impart on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that day.
“Grown men began to weep and we were speechless at a gesture that speak volumes about Josh’s courage and character. The picture, which we believe belongs on every news channel and every newspaper, is attached. I have it hanging above my desk now and will remember it as the single greatest event I have witnessed in my ten years in the Army.” (Source)
Since the photo was taken, Hargis’ breathing tube has been removed and he is “going to be just fine,” according to his wife. They’ve spoken on the phone.
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Tiffany Willis is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
