Congressman Higgins Presents Sgt. Benjamin H. Benally With the Purple Heart

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) presented United States Army veteran Sergeant Benjamin Benally with the Purple Heart for injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan.  Participating in the Ceremony, which took place at the VA Western New York Health Center in Buffalo, was Buffalo VA Medical Center Director Brian Stiller, the Buffalo Recruiting Company U.S. Army Color Guard and members of Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 187.

“For Sergeant Benally and many of our military personnel, the injuries sustained during service are long-lasting,” said Congressman Higgins.  “For his bravery, commitment and sacrifices, we are honored to present him with this Purple Heart on behalf of a grateful nation.”    

“The price of freedom is not free,” stated Brian Stiller, VA Western New York Healthcare System medical center director. “We thank Sergeant Benally for his selfless service to our country.  He is an inspiration for all of us to meet future challenges that we may face as a nation.”

Benjamin Benally was deployed to Afghanistan on December 15th, 2009 and served in the U.S. Army in the Taskforce Catamounts Alpha Company 2-87 1st Platoon.  He began as a Specialist and rose to the rank of Sergeant. 
Seven months into his service, on July 25th, 2009, Benally and his unit were in a convoy going through the small Afghan village of Juy Zurin, Afghanistan when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated.  Benally, was manning the mounted weapon, or turret, on the vehicle which was struck by the IED and he was knocked unconscious.  Motionless, other soldiers in his unit feared Benally was dead.  The rest of vehicles in the convoy were disabled immediately after the detonation.

Corporal Eli Zajchowski was in the 3rd vehicle of the convoy and was performing the duties of Platoon Medic. He assisted in removing Benally from the vehicle and began providing medical attention.  Treatment was limited due to the location.  Upon return to Combat Outpost Tangi, Benally visited the medic for an evaluation and he was diagnosed with a concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  A physical evaluation followed and showed he suffered additional injuries to his right arm.  He was treated at the outpost and returned to limited duty.  Benjamin Benally returned home from his deployment in January of 2010 without his Purple Heart and graduated from Niagara University with a BA in Communications.

Created in 1782 by General George Washington, the Badge of Military Merit was implemented to honor those who demonstrated “meritorious action.”  Though the award soon fell out of circulation, on the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birthday General Douglas MacArthur reinstated the award.  Renamed the Purple Heart Medal, the award is granted to servicemembers injured as a result of enemy action.

In 2011 the Army broadened the criteria for the Purple Heart to include soldiers who received concussions or other brain injuries. This is especially important because modern wars have resulted in an increase in the number of traumatic brain injuries. From 2000-2012 there were over 250,000 documented cases of traumatic brain injuries among those who served. With the increase in use of explosive devices in warfare, approximately 20% of service members have experienced a traumatic brain injury during their deployment. The Purple Heart Medal now honors those service members who sustain these types of injuries while serving and protecting their country.