Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2), a former military officer, presented the Purple Heart to SPC James McCloy of West Jordan, Utah. SPC McCloy was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. 

In March 2011, as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, SPC McCloy and his teammates were conducting a route clearance mission in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. They were tasked with removing explosive devices and other obstacles from the road to allow the safe passage of friendly forces and people to and from local communities. During the operation, their armored vehicle was struck by a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED), resulting in the destruction of the vehicle and the injury of all four passengers aboard.

“SPC James McCloy is a brave and heroic soldier — an example of the courageous men and women that are protecting the United States around the world," Stewart said. "As a former military officer, it was an absolute honor for me to present him with his Purple Heart."