Two Oklahoma Airmen Honored With Purple Heart Medals
The military is honoring two Oklahoma airmen with the Purple Heart medals for their sacrifice and service in Iraq.
Technical Sergeants Ariel White and Marshal Roberts were in Taji, Iraq when their base was hit by multiple rockets on March 11, 2020.
Roberts died from his injuries while White survived. It s very bittersweet,” White said. “I m proud of my service and happy my family and friends get to see this side of me, but the occasion, I wish it was different. There s a whole other family that isn t celebrating as much today.”
Adjutant General Mike Thompson said the Purple Heart medal has significant meaning to all of those in the military.
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TULSA, Oklahoma (Tulsa World ) Marshal D. Roberts has become a common namesake in the Tulsa-area community.
The 28-year-old Air National Guard technical sergeant from Owasso was killed a year ago this week while deployed overseas, and his legacy continues to live on through the inspirational efforts of others.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, for example, introduced legislation in October to rename the Owasso post office after Roberts. Three months later, State Sens. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, and Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, filed a bill to rebrand a section of Oklahoma 20 in honor of the fallen airman.
On Sunday, the Oklahoma Air National Guard rounded out a commemorative trifecta by dedicating a facility at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base in remembrance of Roberts, who died in the line of indirect enemy fire while stationed at Camp Taji in Iraq on March 11, 2020.
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