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Sgt. Tony Maddox Receives Purple Heart

by: Spc. William E. Henry,

An Indiana National Guard Soldier who was deployed to Iraq received a Purple Heart at Joint Forces Headquarters in Indianapolis, November 30.

While deployed, Sgt. Tony Maddox was tasked with the 1313th Engineer Company to spot and clear improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the roadways for U.S. and Coalition forces in Balad, Iraq. He was subsequently injured by shrapnel when one exploded nearby.

The prestigious Purple Heart medal is pinned onto Indiana National Guard Sgt. Tony Maddox for wounds he received in combat while serving in Iraq, by Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, The Adjutant General of Indiana. The ceremony took place at Joint Forces Headquarters in Indianapolis on November 30. Photo by Sgt. Mike Krieg, Indiana National Guard

While on patrol on the main supply route, the lead vehicle spotted the device and immediately Maddox moved into position at the gunner hatch in a vehicle.

"Whenever we came across an IED, we always did a 360 degree survey to spot anyone in the distance," said Maddox.

While Maddox was manning the gunner hatch someone was spotted in the distance by Soldiers in the lead vehicle.

"The buffalo (sic) spotted someone in the tall elephant grass, and as I turned, the explosion occurred."

Sgt. Tony Maddox and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, The Adjutant General of Indiana, pose for photos after Sgt. Maddox was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received while serving in Iraq. The ceremony took place at Joint Forces Headquarters in Indianapolis on November 30. Photo by Sgt. Mike Krieg, Indiana National Guard

Maddox said he was the only one injured in the blast. "I was about 100 to 150 meters away. The medic provided first aid and I was loaded on the helicopter. That's all I remember up to that point."

Maddox's mother, Lila Maddox, said she couldn't be happier with her son.

"I'm very proud of him for all he's been through. Seeing him go through this, he's very lucky. He had a lot of people praying for him."

When Maddox was injured his mother expressed the outpouring of support she had received from people she didn't even know. "I had people calling me and checking on his status and offering me assistance in any way they could. I needed it."

She spoke of the visits by Command Sgt. Maj. James Brown to the hospital and his concern for Maddox. "I was overwhelmed; it just floored me."

"I know if I'm not around he's always got someone to turn to," she said.

Maddox agreed stating, "You've always got brothers and sisters to turn to in the military."