1-87th Scout receives Purple Heart

Courtesy Photo | Col. Russell Lewis, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment commander, presents Spc. John Knight, a member of the Light Infantry Reconnaissance or Scout Platoon, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, with the Purple Heart during a ceremony on Forward Operating Base Kunduz in Northern Afghanistan, July 23. Spc. Knight, a Fennville, Mich., native, received the medal for his actions during an intense battle in Kunduz province, Afghanistan, July 10. He is deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y.  

KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN

08.04.2010

Story by Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, Afghanistan – Under the bright Afghan sun, Spc. John Knight of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, was awarded the Purple Heart medal during a ceremony on Forward Operating Base Kunduz, July 23.

“I’m glad I have the opportunity to present this award,” said Lt. Col. Russell Lewis, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment commander. “It’s a great day that he’s here to receive [the award].”

Spc. Knight, a member of 1-87’s Light Infantry Reconnaissance, or Scout Platoon, was wounded during combat operations in early July.

On July 10, Spc. Knight’s platoon was conducting an operation in a village in Kunduz province. Early in the morning they engaged insurgents after receiving small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.

The roof of the building Spc. Knight was on was hit by a RPG round. During the fight, Spc. Knight received significant injuries but continued to fight before being evacuated from the battlefield.

Standing tall in front of his platoon mates during the ceremony, Spc. Knight’s acceptance speech was all about his fellow scouts and medics.

“I want to thank the scout platoon and the doctor who was there the entire time and never left my side,” said Spc. Knight, a Fennville, Mich., native.

He went on to thank all the medics who helped him.

The Purple Heart award was established by Gen. George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It is awarded to U.S. service members who are wounded, killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2010
• Date Posted: 08.04.2010 03:50
• Story ID: 53922
• Location: KUNDUZ, AF