Sgt. C.J. O'Berry was awarded the Purple Heart on Tuesday for injuries he suffered in combat. O'Berry was injured Nov. 23, 2006, when a grenade struck his vehicle during a convoy in Afghanistan. His cousin, Cpl. Nathan Goodiron, was killed in the attack. Both were members of the North Dakota National Guard's 188th Air Defense Artillery Security Forces unit, and were based in Bismarck.

Three other members of that unit were killed in Afghanistan: Cpl. Curtis R. Mehrer (Bismarck); Sgt. Travis Van Zoest (Bismarck); and Cpl. Christopher K. Kleinwachter (Wahpeton). All received the Purple Heart. Sgt. Samuel Floberg (Fargo), had his right leg severed in the same attack that killed Goodiron and injured O'Berry. He received the Purple Heart.

Other members of the 188th who received the Purple Heart: Sgt. 1st Class Terry Stickel (Lehr); Spc. Cole Larocque (Grand Forks); Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Roller (West Fargo); Spc. James Grote (Minot); Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Wicks (Bismarck); 2nd Lt. Loren Soma (Fargo); and Spc. Richard Schmuck (Grafton).

The North Dakota Army National Guard has 35 soldiers currently serving who have received the Purple Heart since 2003.