Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. David Price (D-NC) today praised the White House for recognizing the service and achievements of Sergeant John Rice (USMC), a wounded young veteran from Chapel Hill.  Sgt. Rice will be one of the extraordinary Americans sitting as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama during President Obama’s first address to Congress. 

“As someone who has the honor of knowing John personally, I can attest to his worthiness of this prestigious recognition,” said Price.  “John has sacrificed much for the service of his country, both on the battlefield and throughout his long road to recovery.  He and the many other injured young veterans deserve our constant gratitude and respect.” 

Sgt. Rice graduated East Chapel Hill High School in 2003.  He suffered injuries from a landmine explosion in Iraq last July, earning him a Purple Heart. 

The brief biography of Sgt. Rice distributed by the White House is copied below. 

Sergeant John E. Rice, USMC

Sgt Rice was born in Bethesda, MD and graduated from East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, NC.  He attended the University of Maryland from 2003 to 2005.  Sgt Rice arrived at recruit training on the February 14, 2006 at MCRD Parris Island.  Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Jacksonville, NC for infantry training. Upon completion of infantry training, Rice reported to Recon Training Platoon, 2nd Recon Bn, Camp Lejeune, NC.  On January 9, 2006 Rice reported to Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS) in Virginia Beach, VA.  Following ARS, he attended Army Airborne School in Ft Benning, GA and Navy SERE School in San Diego, CA and reported to 3rd Recon Bn, 3 MARDIV in Okinawa, Japan on July 1, 2007.  Rice’s Company deployed to Iraq in April 2008.  He was injured when a landmine exploded while on a foot patrol on July 10, 2008.  While receiving treatment at NNMC, Bethesda Cpl Rice was promoted to Sgt. His personal decorations consist of Letter of Appreciation, National Defense, Global War on Terror, Sea Service Deployment, Iraq Campaign, Navy Achievement and Purple Heart.