Son awarded Purple Heart

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Master Gunnery Sgt. Victor J. Purvis

TWENTYNINE PALMS, California -- The son of a McCook, Nebraska, couple has received the Purple Heart medal for injuries he received in action in December 2010 in Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Victor J. Purvis of Twentynine Palms, California, received the Purple Heart awarded to him by President Barack Obama for wounds received in action on Dec. 1, 2010, in Afghanistan, and presented to him by the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps on Feb. 13, 2012.

Purvis is the son of Teresa and Robert Purvis of McCook and a 1982 graduate of Grand Island, Nebraska, Central Catholic High School.

Purvis was injured during Operation Lone Ranger when he and fellow members of his unit recovered a vehicle damaged by a roadside bomb. As Purvis exited his own vehicle, a second explosive charge detonated, wounding him and fellow Marines.

A citation in late 2011 from Lt. General T.D. Waldhauser, commander U.S. Marine Corps Force, stated that "Before receiving medical attention, (Purvis) continued to focus on the mission."

Purvis has received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from Oct. 12, 2010, to May 22, 2011, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

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  • Ooh rah Gunny! Thank you for your selfless service. Prayers for a complete recovery for you and your fellow Marines.

    -- Posted by heymicahs mom on Wed, Feb 15, 2012, at 6:49 PM
  • Very proud of ya Vic....from you parent's neighbors across the alley!!!! Thank you for your service!!!!

    -- Posted by love2liveinmccook on Thu, Feb 16, 2012, at 7:04 PM
  • Thanks for the selfless service and personal courage! We are in debt to the men and women like you who haven given so much.

    -- Posted by blueCollarWorker on Fri, Feb 17, 2012, at 10:30 AM
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