Twenty-nine soldiers in the U.S. Army who suffered injuries during Iran’s missile attack in Iraq will receive Purple Hearts.
Six soldiers have already been awarded their Purple Hearts, while 23 others have been approved and will receive them later this week, U.S. Central Command said Monday.
Around 110 American service members were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries as a result of the Iranian ballistic missile attack at al Asad Air Base in Iraq in January. Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at the Iraqi base, which houses U.S. troops, in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Following the attack, President Trump initially said no injuries had been sustained, but troops later began exhibiting concussion-like symptoms, prompting the military to evacuate some soldiers from Iraq. The majority of those injured were able to return to work.
Purple Hearts are awarded in the name of the president to soldiers who are wounded or killed during service. Eighty service members were considered for the award, and each recommendation package submitted by unit leaders was evaluated by a review board based on Army and Air Force regulations.
