Photo: Alamy
Nine U.S. veterans received the honor of being awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The event took place at Fort Campbell in Kentucky on Monday and highlighted the importance of honoring American heroes.
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most revered military decorations our nation can bestow.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) May 20, 2026
These men represent the very best of America. pic.twitter.com/tmIw6hWpOu
According to KATV, six of the Purple Heart recipients were honored for wounds received after surviving a grenade attack in Kuwait on March 23, 2003:
- Retired Col. Townley Hendrick
- Retired Col. Andras Marton
- Retired Lt. Col. Shawn Phillips
- Retired Lt. Col. Kenneth Romaine
- Retired Maj. David Santos
- Veteran 1st Lt. Gian Amorsolo
The attack was carried out by U.S. servicemember Sgt. Hasan Akbar, who had been radicalized by Islam. Akbar cut off power to the 101st Airborne Division’s camp while they were asleep. He then threw grenades into three tents and shot at victims as the rest of the soldiers awoke and rushed out, per the 2010 NEFA report on the incident. Akbar was sentenced to death in 2005 and currently remains on military death row.
.@SECWAR just pinned the Purple Heart on nine American heroes while visiting Fort Campbell, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/obb5f6JIEn
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) May 18, 2026
In addition, three soldiers wounded in the spring of 2006 were also awarded the Purple Heart.
- Veteran Spc. Miguel Lopez, for his wounds received on May 2, 2006
- Veteran Sgt. Mark Pham, for a wound she received on April 30, 2006
- Veteran Corporal Marcus Sandoval, for the wound he received on April 7, 2006
The Purple Heart honors extraordinary courage and sacrifice in defense of our freedom.
— Coalition for Military Excellence (@Mil_Excellence) May 18, 2026
Today, @SecWar Pete Hegseth personally awarded the Purple Heart to 9 American heroes at Fort Campbell. pic.twitter.com/pyJtd9ZDXv
Hegseth spoke about their sacrifice during his speech at the awards ceremony. “Purple Hearts are about merit and a moment when these incredible Americans showed something that we can’t even fathom,” he stated. “But it’s also about lifting them up so that we lift them up to the rest of the country as a demonstration of what matters.”
