Marine Maj. Kimberly Rhodes, commanding officer, Marine Corps Det. Newport awarded Marine Gunnery Sgt. Richard P. Lawson the Purple Heart, April 8, for injuries he sustained while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Students and staff from throughout the installation, as well as over two dozen members of his family and friends, attended the award presentation.

Lawson served in the Marine Corps for 15 years as an 0211-counter intelligence human intelligence specialist with assignments in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with the Defense Attache Office in Croatia, and Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa.

Lawson was a staff sergeant serving in Iraq as sub-team leader, Human Intelligence Exploitation Team 9, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1, 1st Marine Division.

He was injured as a result of hostile enemy action while supporting 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines during combat operations at a forward operating base outside of Fallujah, Iraq.

Members of HET9 came under indirect enemy rocket fire while staging for a combat patrol. A rocket landed directly in the turret position, destroying the HMMWV and mortally wounding one Marine.

Lawson and three other team members, who were positioned alongside the HMMWV, were all knocked unconscious by the rocket blast receiving various wounds. Lawson was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury as a result of the blast.

The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any member of the armed forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. armed services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed.

"It cannot be earned by exceptional service or achievement," Rhodes said during her opening remarks. "The Purpose Heart signifies one thing ... sacrifice. Whenever you see the Purple Heart, know that it represents either a combat death or a combat wound.

"It represents the blood that has been shed in defense of liberty, she said."

Following the reading of the orders, all attendees assembled by Lawson to personally thank him for this sacrifice.

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