Pentagon Honors Airmen, Soldiers Wounded in 2003 Attack

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --

Two Air Force veterans received the Purple Heart, July 29, during a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, presented one medal to retired Col. Mark Wisher and another posthumously to Maj. Gregory Stone in honor of their bravery and service during an attack in Kuwait in 2003.

Joshua Stone accepted the medal on behalf of his father, who died two days after the attack at a facility in Kuwait known as Camp Pennsylvania.

"It means a lot coming out here, receiving this on his behalf and getting to meet everyone [my father] served with for those three weeks in Kuwait," Stone said.

In addition to the Airmen, three Army veterans and an active-duty Army Soldier, wounded in the same attack, received Purple Hearts during the ceremony.

Mahoney commended the recipients for their valorous sacrifice.

"Today, the sacrifice that we recognize - it's not about rank, it's not about title or position. It's about Soldiers and Airmen answering the nation's call," Mahoney said. "They didn't choose that moment in time, but they answered it when it came, and their answer, both then and now, stands as a testament to the character of the American warrior."

During his remarks, Mahoney also recognized retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bart Womack, who was at Camp Pennsylvania during the 2003 attack, and who was the driving force behind getting the six service members the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is one of the military's most significant honors, a solemn designation of service members who have been wounded or killed in action. It is also the nation's oldest military honor.

Military personnel awarded the Purple Heart get medical priority benefits at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, hiring preference for federal jobs, access to military exchanges and commissaries, and access to the Forever GI Bill, which puts no time limit on when personnel can claim their education benefits.

In his closing remarks, Mahoney expressed his gratitude to the recipients and their families for the selfless service that culminated in this moment.

"To the recipients, your courage, your sacrifice, and your dedication inspire us," Mahoney said. "To the families, we know you bear the weight. You bear it differently, but the weight is the same. Thank you for your resilience, your sacrifice and your unwavering support. You strengthen us."