A soldier hurt in the mass shooting at Fort Hood received a Purple Heart on Saturday.
Sgt. Matthew Cooke was shot five times while trying to save another soldier when Maj. Nidal Hasan opened fire killing 13 people and injuring 30 others in the 2009 attack.
The Purple Heart medal presentation will be at 2 p.m. at the Salisbury VA hospital. Other victims were honored and given Purple Hearts two weeks ago in Texas.
Congressman Robert Pittenger released this statement before Saturday’s ceremony:
“Sgt. Cooke, you are a hero to me and so many Americans. No one would have blamed you had you run for cover when Nidal Hasan opened fire. Instead, you flung yourself on top of a fellow soldier, saving his life even as you got shot five times. Today’s recognition is long overdue, but you didn’t display tremendous bravery in combat in hopes of future recognition or reward. You displayed tremendous bravery because you are a true American hero. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your courage.”
Pittenger attended Cooke’s 2013 welcome home ceremony and hosted him at the 2014 State of the Union address.
