Elm Grove resident receives Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge

News: Elm Grove resident receives Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

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Story by Spc. Nevada Jack Smith Subscribe To This Journalist

Spc. Nevada Jack Smith

U.S. Army 1st Lt. David T. Nesseth takes biometric data from an Afghan local at the Tarin Kot Provincial Police Sub-Station, Aug. 7, 2012.

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – U.S. Army 1st Lt. David T. Nesseth, a resident of Elm Grove, Wis., was awarded a Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge, Sept. 7, at Multi National Base Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.

Nesseth, a member of Security Forces Assistance Team 28, received concussive injuries from a blast from a suicide-vest bomber on May 20 while conducting operations at the Tarin Kot Provincial Police Sub-Station. Two SFAT 28 soldiers were killed in the attack.

Nesseth was knocked unconscious from the blast. When he regained consciousness, he immediately rendered first aid to the wounded. After providing initial treatment, Nesseth moved all injured soldiers back to the base medical facility.

“I’m glad to know that the people who were injured are now doing much better,” Nesseth said.

Nesseth will return to his duty station at Fort Sill, Okla., at the end of his tour.

Nesseth accepted his Purple Heart Medal with a heavy heart and recounted his lost comrades.

“It was a very emotional time for me,” Nesseth said. “It’s not one of those awards you want to receive. I’d rather give both of the awards back if I could have my two friends back with me.”

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