“Unconscious” Army Ranger Salutes From Hospital Bed

Joshua Hargis was unconscious. At least that’s what doctors and military brass assumed when they awarded the US Army Ranger the Purple Heart after he was severely injured and burned during an Afghanistan suicide bombing. But during the ceremony that saw his valorous decoration formally awarded, an incredible thing happened. We’ll let the letter sent to his wife Taylor describe it:

A simple ceremony, you can picture a room full of Rangers, leaders, doctors, and nurses surrounding his bedside while the Ranger Regimental Commander pinned the Purple Heart to his blanket. During the presentation the Commander publishes the official orders verbally and leaned over Josh to thank him for his sacrifice.

Josh, whom everybody in the room (over 50 people) assumed to be unconscious, began to move his right arm under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the Commander as is customary during these ceremonies. Despite his wounds, wrappings, tubes, and pain, Josh fought the doctor who was trying to restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen.

The picture of Josh saluting has gone viral in the last few days, and is a testament to the faith and courage and dedication of this young man. Check it out in the video below.

https://youtu.be/1wn_gBDAXM4