iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — A hero who helped prevent an attack overseas is going to receive a Purple Heart.
Airman Spencer Stone who was injured in preventing the attack on the French train a few weeks ago is going to receive the Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart is the military award presented to service members who are injured in combat, while also authorized for instances of domestic terrorism where the attack was directed from overseas.
Stone will be at the Pentagon on Thursday with his fellow heroes Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler to receive military awards from U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Stone was already in line to receive the Airman’s Medal, Skarlatos to receive the Soldier’s Medal, and Sadler was going to receive the civilian award known as the Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor.
But speaking at the kick off of the Air Force Association’s annual conference in Washington DC, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced that Stone would also be receiving the Purple Heart.
In her remarks James said:
“In addition to that, Airman Stone will also be awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of the wounds he received during that action,” said James. “Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will actually preside over this award ceremony for Spencer Stone as well as for Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos later this week who will also be honored. By the way, stay tuned because our Secretary of Defense will also be coming here to AFA and spending some time with him as well.”
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