Army Reserve Medic Receives Purple Heart Over a Decade After Afghanistan Blast
Fort Sheridan, Illinois – Retired U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class Christina Larson was awarded the Purple Heart on February 20, 2026, more than eleven years after sustaining injuries from a car bomb attack in Afghanistan. The award was presented during her retirement ceremony, recognizing her service and sacrifice.
The 2015 Kabul Attack
In January 2015, Larson, a combat medic with the 911th Forward Surgical Team, was stationed at Kabul’s main airport, then known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. A car bomb detonated near the base, causing widespread destruction. The blast leveled buildings and shattered windows in Larson’s barracks room, where she was in bed at the time.
“I remember thinking, ‘Am I dead? Am I alive? Am I going to die? Where’s my tourniquet? Do I have my arms? What is going on right now?’ I was very disoriented,” Larson recounted to Task & Purpose. Task & Purpose
Despite her own injuries, Larson quickly responded to aid fellow soldiers, grabbing her rifle and rushing to provide medical assistance. She later discovered she had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of the blast, leading to ongoing medical issues.
Delayed Recognition and Retirement
Larson served in the Army Reserve for 15 years, both in active duty and reserve roles, before being medically retired in 2024 due to the long-term effects of the TBI. U.S. Army Reserve
The Purple Heart was presented by Brigadier General Todd Traver, the deputy commanding general of the 807th Theater Medical Command. Notably, Traver was the commander of the medical battalion overseeing Larson’s team during the 2015 attack. 807th Theater Medical Command
Challenges in Receiving the Award
Larson initially questioned whether she deserved the Purple Heart, stating, “What do I get a Purple Heart for? I have all my limbs. I’m not in a wheelchair.” However, a civilian colleague in her unit encouraged her to explore her eligibility, leading her to gather documentation of her presence during the attack and her subsequent injuries.
According to Larson, the delay in receiving the award was likely due to a combination of factors, including evolving understanding of TBIs within the military and initial oversights in Afghanistan regarding her eligibility. A spokesperson for the 807th Theater Medical Command stated the Army Reserve could not speculate on why the initial award submission was not made even as Larson was deployed. Task & Purpose
Delayed Purple Heart awards for injuries like TBIs have been a recurring issue in the post-9/11 wars. More than 50 Purple Hearts were awarded to troops after a 2020 missile attack in Syria, many for TBI-related injuries, despite initial reports downplaying the extent of the injuries.
Additional Recognition and Legacy
During the review process for the Purple Heart, Army officials similarly determined that Larson was eligible for a Combat Action Badge. U.S. Army Reserve Facebook
Larson is among fewer than 500 women to receive a Purple Heart, most of whom served in post-9/11 combat operations. Task & Purpose