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Story and photos by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1/623rd Field Artillery
[caption id="attachment_4485" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Retired Sgt.Randy White accepts his Purple Heart from Brig. Gen. Joseph M. Richie Dec. 5, during a ceremony in Monticello, Ky. White is a decorated 21-year Veteran of the Kentucky National Guard, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery. (U.S. Army photo by SGT, Bryan Ploughe /Kentucky Army National Guard)"]
MONTICELLO, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2010)-- Retired Kentucky National Guard Sgt. Randy White, of Central City, Ky., was presented a long-awaited entitlement of the Purple Heart, by Brig. Gen. Joseph M. Richie, deputy adjutant general, during an awards ceremony in Monticello, Ky., Dec. 5.
White earned the award after a Dec. 12, 2005 IED attack in Iraq caused the armored vehicle he was in to run into a canal. White’s injuries included lacerations to his head and face due to shrapnel, and a concussion after losing consciousness during the blast.
He was a team leader stationed at Camp Anaconda, Iraq with the Kentucky National Guard’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion 623d Field Artillery.
“He was a great asset to the unit during the Iraq deployment and can continue with his retirement knowing he made a difference in the world,” said Maj. L. Allen Joiner, White’s former battery commander.
The Purple Heart is the only award in the U.S. Army that is an entitlement, and is awarded in the name of the president to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in combat action.
White is a decorated Veteran, serving two deployments with the Kentucky National Guard in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom during his 21-year career with the Guard.
Since retiring from the Kentucky National Guard, White works for the Department of Corrections in Central City, Ky., where he lives with his wife, son and daughter.