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AURORA, Sevier County — It's been three years and seven months since Sergeant Garth Blake Croft was injured in Iraq. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Sergeant Croft was finally awarded the Purple Heart at a ceremony held at the Aurora Community Center.
He was deployed to Iraq from February 2007 to April 2008, and was on patrol Feb. 20, 2008, in Yarmouk sector of Bagdad, Iraq. He was driving the lead vehicle when the driver's side was hit by an IED. He was severely injured in the attack.
Croft served in the special Alpha Battery 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Brigade 101st Airborne Division. He went to basic training in Fort Seal, Oklahoma. He and his wife Amy were stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas, from 2006-10. He then went to NTC training in California before being deployed.
Aurora City Mayor Scott Gurney recognized Sergeant Croft and his wife Amy during the ceremony where Gurney awarded the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart Certificate was awarded by Sevier County Commissioner Gordon Topham and Sergeant Croft's wife pinned the medal to his shirt. Gurney thanked Croft for his willingness to serve our country and for helping to keep the country safe.
Members of the community were able to visit with Croft, his wife, and their three children after the ceremony and were able to thank them for their wonderful service.
The Croft family make their home in Aurora.
