SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Eighteen members of the Utah National Guard have been awarded Purple Hearts for injuries suffered during a recent deployment to Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet says during a Saturday ceremony in Salt Lake City the soldiers are a band of brothers in danger every day of their deployment.
The soldiers are part of the 118th Engineer Company. Their unit was responsible for locating improvised explosive devices in and around the Khost and Paktia provinces.
Spc. Jeremiah Barnett of Plain City, Utah, says he felt fortunate to serve in such a critical position.
The 22-year-old Barnett received two Purple Hearts for concussions he suffered in action.
The company has earned 10 Bronze Stars, 25 Purple Hearts and more than 200 Army medals for their work in Afghanistan.