Combat Medic Receives Long-Overdue Purple Heart During Retirement Ceremony

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson concluded her 15-year military career on February 20 with a formal retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where she was finally awarded a Purple Heart. The honor stems from a 2015 car bomb attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. While serving as a combat medic with the 911th Forward Surgical Team, Larson was in her barracks when the blast shattered windows and leveled nearby structures. Despite suffering a traumatic brain injury in the explosion, she immediately prioritized the safety of her fellow soldiers and assisted the wounded.

For years, Larson hesitated to pursue the award, often downplaying her injuries because she did not sustain visible, life-altering physical trauma. It was only during the medical retirement process that a colleague encouraged her to document the incident and seek the recognition she earned. Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, who commanded the medical battalion overseeing Larson’s unit during her deployment, presented the medal to her. Her transition to civilian life marks the end of a dedicated career that spanned active duty and reserve service, ultimately shaped by the lasting health complications resulting from her combat experience.