JAG CENTRALThe world's first weblog devoted to military justice and military law issues.
Friday, March 18, 2005
JAG ATTORNEY GETS PURPLE HEART
The office of the Fort Belvoir Staff Judge Advocate honored one of their own when they presented him with a Purple Heart Medal in the SJA courtroom Friday.
Chief of Military Justice, SJA, Capt. Philip Staten said he was humbled to receive the Purple Heart medal for his actions in Diyala, Iraq, Jan. 21, 2004.
From April 2003 to April 2004, Staten was the Brigade Judge Advocate for the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
On Jan. 21, 2004, Staten was serving as a local point of contact for some personnel attached to the Coalition Provisional Authority's Ministry of Justice when the base camp they were at came under attack.
The first round to impact was a 120mm mortar shell that landed near Staten, launching him back. Staten took the brunt of the blast, but was lucky enough not to take any shrapnel damage. He did, however, become temporarily deafened from the blast, suffered a concussion, and bled from the ear.
The other members of his group received shrapnel wounds, some more serious than others.
Staten said this medal was a tremendous honor and privilege to receive.
