"MAY 1 BLAST INJURED SOLDIER FROM DENVER, N.C.
He's a winner -- and doesn't like it
Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq receives Purple Heart
LISA ZAGAROLI
McClatchy Newspapers"
WASHINGTON --Staff Sgt. Benjamin Dellinger got an award he never wanted Friday.
The Purple Heart was presented to the 25-year-old infantryman from Denver, N.C., and five others recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is given to any service member injured or killed by enemy forces.
The Army had tried to give him the medal at earlier monthly ceremonies, but he resisted.
"I think it's embarrassing," Dellinger says. "... I always thought I was better than the bad guys. It's kind of humbling in a sense that I don't like.
"Just because you get a Purple Heart doesn't mean you're a hero. It just means you had a bad day."
He says he'd rather be back in Fayetteville, where he was stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. But he doesn't think he'll get approval before March, because the Army wants to be sure he can get the same level of treatment he's getting at Walter Reed before releasing him.
More...Charlotte Observer 12/01/2007 He's a winner -- and doesn't like it:
He's a winner -- and doesn't like it
Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq receives Purple Heart
LISA ZAGAROLI
McClatchy Newspapers"
WASHINGTON --Staff Sgt. Benjamin Dellinger got an award he never wanted Friday.
The Purple Heart was presented to the 25-year-old infantryman from Denver, N.C., and five others recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is given to any service member injured or killed by enemy forces.
The Army had tried to give him the medal at earlier monthly ceremonies, but he resisted.
"I think it's embarrassing," Dellinger says. "... I always thought I was better than the bad guys. It's kind of humbling in a sense that I don't like.
"Just because you get a Purple Heart doesn't mean you're a hero. It just means you had a bad day."
He says he'd rather be back in Fayetteville, where he was stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. But he doesn't think he'll get approval before March, because the Army wants to be sure he can get the same level of treatment he's getting at Walter Reed before releasing him.
More...Charlotte Observer 12/01/2007 He's a winner -- and doesn't like it:
Posts
>
1 comment:
This man served with my son, Sgt. A.J. Baddick, who died in Iraq on 29 Sept. 2003. I wrote a book about my son titled, "My Hero, My Son" and I would like to send a copy to Ben. If anyone can get me an address for him I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Contact me @ JosephBaddick@gmail.com or
610 698-7533
Post a Comment