Marine accepts Bronze Star Medal wearing robotic legs
Marine Captain Derek Herrera, paralyzed from a sniper’s bullet in Afghanistan, walked to the ceremony in which he received his Bronze Star Medal at Camp Pendleton, according to the Associated Press;
Herrera had vowed to walk at the event that also marked his retirement after 8½ years in the military, saying he wanted to leave the Marine Corps the same way he joined. He has gone from fighting on the battlefield to becoming a strong advocate for veterans.
“I’m not out of the fight and I’ll continue on,” he told his battalion on Friday, adding that it was “truly an honor and a pleasure to stand before you today.”
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In this photo provided by the U.S. Marines, U.S. Marine …
In this photo provided by the U.S. Marines, U.S. Marine Capt. Derek Herrera, center, 1st Marine Spec …Herrera was the first person in the United States to purchase the ReWalk system recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the company, ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
According to DVIDs;
Herrera was injured in June 2012 while serving as a special operations team commander in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was hit by enemy sniper fire causing injuries that paralyzed him from the chest down.
The ambush occurred while Herrera and his team, along with 10 members of the Afghan National Army, were conducting a patrol on the western edge of the Helmand River Valley.
“Shortly after sunrise, we found ourselves in a firefight with the enemy and surrounded. In the opening moments of that firefight, the sergeant next to me and I were shot,” said Herrera.
After being shot, Herrera attempted to pick himself up and treat himself when he realized he was paralyzed and unable to move from the chest down.
Thanks to Andy11M and Marine_7002 for the links.
Category: Marine Corps
Thank you for posting this, Jonn. I’ll remember Captain Hererra on days when life seems to get a bit difficult. If he can persevere and thrive despite what’s happened to him, then so can I.
And now, a message to Frank Visconi: this is a REAL Marine who was recognized for valor under fire.
He DESERVES the Bronze Star. YOU DON’T.
He DESERVES the Purple Heart. YOU DON’T.
He DESERVES a Combat Action Ribbon. YOU DON’T.
Semper Fi, Captain.
Marine_7002…What you said. Gob bless Captain Derek Herrera.
Well done, Marine. Indeed. You are an inspiration to us all.
Stay strong Marine.
Way to set the example and standard.
Left on his feet, like he came in. Well done indeed.
Vaya con Dios, capitán. This old soldier salutes you.
Well done, indeed. Whenever I think that my pain or stress issues are too much, I also think of the men and women like this great officer, who are dealing with so many more issues than I, and I am humbled by them.
May God Bless them all.
Dayum!! Walked in and walked out unassisted. He is pure inspiration.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/23/health/paralysis-cell-transplant/index.html
Let’s do this. I want to see that Captain’s foot in a Talibans ass ASAP!
Kind of chaps my ass he had to “purchase” it himself. Just like the robot hand company that picked a party girl that lost her hand because of binge drinking and a rope slide accident as their national spokesperson when their are quite a few heroes that lost a hand throwing a taliban grenade back to save their buddies in combat.
Yea, I kinda wondered the same thing. But, if it came down to waiting for the VA to spring for it, or buy it himself and start putting one foot before the other right now, I’d have done the same thing. Inspirational story anyway you look at it. Hand salute, Capt Herrera.
Well done Captain, well done.