By MC1 Jonathan Carmichael, NMCB 11 Public Affairs
SW3 Grant J. Cullumber (left) and EO1 Robert W. Dorch, NMCB 11, stand at attention on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, after being awarded the Purple Heart by Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commanding general, Regional Command Southwest, for wounds received in action while deployed to Afghanistan.
Two Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 were each awarded the Purple Heart, Aug. 31, on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, for wounds received in action while deployed to Afghanistan under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
Equipment Operator 1st Class Robert W. Dorch and Steelworker 3rd Class Grant J. Cullumber were presented the Purple Heart by Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commanding general, Regional Command Southwest, in a ceremony on Camp Krutke, the Seabee camp located on Camp Leatherneck.
Dorch was wounded Aug. 9, when the bulldozer he was operating absorbed the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) while NMCB 11 was supporting a village stability platform in southern Afghanistan.
"Thank God for armored plating," said Dorch. "I feel very fortunate to be here."
Cullumber was wounded June 1, when a vehicle-borne IED exploded just outside a building where he was working.
"I don't remember most of what happened," said Cullumber. "I only remember bits and pieces, and I've been told about it by people who were there. I am just happy to be here continuing to do my job alongside my shipmates."
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Equipment Operator 1st Class Robert W. Dorch, from Pensacola, Fla., assigned to Naval Mobile Consruction Battalion 11, is presented a purple heart by Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, for wounds received in action on Aug. 9, 2012 while deployed to Afghanistan. NMCB 11 is homeported in Gulfport, Miss., and is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Steelworker 3rd Class Grant J. Cullumber, from Chandler, Ariz., assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, is presented a purple heart by Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, for wounds received in action on June 1, 2012 while deployed to Afghanistan. NMCB 11 is homeported in Gulfport, Miss., and currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.