Published: March 31, 2006
Purple Heart for Captain Roosevelt Jarrell Jr.
Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD
BAQUBAH, Iraq - An Army Reserve officer will never forget the day he reached his 20th year of service.
Capt. Roosevelt Jarrell Jr., a team captain with 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, was presented with the Purple Heart Medal during a formation conducted by members of the 1st Battalion, 68th Combined Arms Battalion. He was cited for the wounds he received during action on Feb. 28.
BAQUBAH, Iraq - Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher (right) pins a Purple Heart Medal on Capt. Roosevelt Jarrell Jr., an Army Reservist from Baton Rouge, La. A team captain with 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, Jarrell was wounded in action on Feb. 28.
Photo by Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD |
"I was wounded in action on my 20-year anniversary," Jarrell said.
The award was presented by Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher, who commands the 1-68th CAB. He cited its importance as one of the oldest awards in the Army and the fact that it is only given to Soldiers who are wounded in combat.
"It's the mark of a true American hero," Fisher said. "It's something I always look for when I'm talking to a Soldier."
Jarrell, who hails from Baton Rouge, La., said he was humbled by the award. He said he thought of his fellow Soldiers, his family and his faith while the medal was pinned to his chest.
"It was an honor to receive the award from the colonel," Jarrell said.
Jarrell was on a routine patrol on the west side of the Udane River on that fateful day. His team was assessing damage caused by insurgent mortar fire during the previous days. They had also met with village leaders and handled damage claims.
As their convoy crossed into the Diyala Province, they began receiving small arms fire. Jarrell's vehicle was then struck by both an improvised explosive device and a rocket-propelled grenade.
"My gunner had difficulty firing the weapon," Jarrell recalled. "I got up there to assist him and I wound up engaging the enemy."
Jarrell wound up being struck in the left eye with shrapnel from a blast. He kept moving, though.
Jarrell's vehicle was involved in a 15-minute gun battle with insurgent forces through a canyon area. Despite damage to the vehicle and his wounds, the convoy kept rolling until they cleared the area.
On March 1, Jarrell underwent eye surgery. He was hospitalized two more days and then spent another week on medical leave. He has since returned to duty with his unit.
"As time progresses, my eye will continue to get better, hopefully," Jarrell said.
Jarrell said he plans on finishing his tour here. He will then return to Louisiana, where he works for Turner Scaffolding, a division of Exxon Mobil.
Anthony D Buchanan
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