Photo By Lt.j.g. Drew Verbis | Seabees stand at attention as Brigadier General David L. Weeks, Commander 411th...... read more read more
CAMP KRUTKE, Afghanistan – A formation of Seabees stood at attention as two members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, Task Force Anchor, received Purple Hearts during an award ceremony Dec 13.
Standing proudly in front of the stars and stripes, Builder Third Class Daniel Blount and Equipment Operator Third Class Steven Thelusma received the award from Brig. Gen. David L. Weeks, commanding general of the 411th Engineer Brigade, Joint Task Force Empire.
Both recipients suffered injuries when their convoy was struck with an improvised explosive device while conducting missions outside of the wire.
Blount, a native of Macon, Ga., who is serving his second deployment to Afghanistan, experienced the attack while his MRAP was traveling at low speed through rough terrain.
“It’s difficult to explain but it felt like a long blink,” Blount said. “The explosion knocked the gunner out of his turret and right onto me. I literally caught him. My first reaction was to check on his condition and then immediately attend to my shipmates. I think we’re fortunate.”
“Afterward the Skipper telephoned my wife,” added Blount. “He let her know that I was going to make it through this. That’s really when it all sunk in.”
Thelusma, a native of Roslindale, Mass., who is also serving his second deployment to Afghanistan, was operating an armored tractor trailer when his vehicle was struck.
“All I can say is that I sincerely feel honored to receive this award. There’s nothing we could have done to prevent (the attack),” said Thelusma. “But I do think that training played an important role in the way we responded and pushed through a dangerous situation.”
The two Seabees are expected to recover and complete their deployment in Afghanistan.
“This is such a prestigious award,” said Blount. “So few have it and I feel humbled. I don’t take this for granted.”
Once called the ‘Badge of Merit,’ the Purple Heart is the military’s oldest award dating back to George Washington.
Homeported in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB 133 is deployed to Afghanistan and the U.S. Central Command area of operations to assist coalition forces and provide engineering support to the Afghan government.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2012 05:18 |
| Story ID: | 99677 |
| Location: | AF |
| Hometown: | MACON, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | ROSLINDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 1,149 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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