"Attention to Orders:
The President of the United States hereby awards SGT. Jacob M. Uber the Army's Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained during combat operations on 05 January 2007.
During a combat patrol SGT. Uber was the gunner on the lead humvee when it was hit by a roadside bomb. The blast sent shrapnel and debris into SGT. Uber face, knocking him unconscious. After being rendered unconscious for over 90 seconds, SGT. re-manned his weapon and began laying deliberate and suppressive fire to the enemy detouring any further attacks.
SGT. Uber's actions adhere to the Army values and show great merit and honor not only to himself but to his unit and his country."
This afternoon during an awards ceremony I was awarded the Purple Heart, if you couldn't figure that out. That's how the award was read aloud to the battalion as the Brigade Commander pinned the medal on my chest.
It is an awesome feeling. It is not an award anyone ever sets out to get, it just happens. It's to often the awardees are awarded after their death, or it is given to them at a hospital somewhere. I was lucky; I was able to stand on my own two feet in front of the battalion I fight with daily. All of this makes you proud to serve.