North Dakota Guard soldier receives Purple Heart

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota National Guard soldier wounded while serving in Iraq has received the Purple Heart.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk (sprihn-suh-NAT'-ik) presented Sgt. Michael Wing with the award during a ceremony in Minot on Friday.

Wing, of Surrey, was wounded in 2004 while serving as a team leader in Iraq with the 141st Engineer Battalion. He was the vehicle gunner on a mission to clear improvised explosive devices when an IED exploded just a few feet in front of him.

Though injured, he continued with his mission and did not seek medical treatment until the mission was completed.

Dalrymple says Wing put the mission and the lives of others first, demonstrating his willingness to put his life on the line for a greater cause.

___

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Tags: updates, military, fargo, news