LSUYOU Graduate Receives Purple Heart

SPC Joshua Lozier invited LSYOU faculty and mentors Suzan Gaston, Ora Milligan, and Reese Craddock to join his wife Melissa, daughter Savannah, and father-in-law and Vietnam Veteran Jerry Waller for the Purple Heart awarding ceremony at Fort Gordon.

On May 19, 2008 former LSYOU graduate and United States Army Specialist Joshua Lozier was awarded The Purple Heart at a ceremony held at Fort Gordon Base in Augusta, Georgia. United States Army Commanding Brigadier General Donald M. Bradshaw presented the Purple Heart to Lozier for wounds received in action on August 18, 2006. Established by General George Washington in 1782, The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration for the American Army and the first ever made available to an enlisted man.

Born in Harrison County Mississippi, SPC Lozier calls Milwaukee, Wisconsin home. In April 2006, his Wisconsin National guard unit was mobilized in support of the Global War on Terror. While deployed he performed convoy route security as a driver and gunner. During several of these missions the vehicle he was traveling in was hit by improvised explosive devices resulting in some nerve damage and blindness in one eye. Some of the members in his unit were killed in these blasts. Even after sustaining his injuries, SPC Lozier wanted to stay in Iraq and continue serving his country.

Award Information Courtesy of U.S. Army.