Congressman Platts Awards Purple Heart to Area Veteran

Washington, D.C. - Washington, D.C. - Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) recently awarded Roland "Dutch" Gallagher, of Cumberland County, the Purple Heart for Military Merit for his service in the Korean War.

Gallagher served in the 2nd Infantry Division of the Headquarters & Headquarters Company in the United States Army. During his Korean War service, Gallagher served as an Anti-Tank and Tank Mine Battalion soldier with the 23rd Infantry Regiment.

Gallagher's Korean War service began in August 1950, approximately five weeks after President Truman committed United States Forces to the defense of South Korea. Gallagher's tour was interrupted on February 22, 1951 when he was seriously wounded in action, and his service concluded in July of 1951.

Gallagher has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the United Nations Service Medal.

The Purple Heart is an American decoration, the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier. Created by George Washington, one of the nation's most famed and best-loved heroes, the Purple Heart is awarded to any American citizen who is wounded while serving in any official capacity of the United States armed forces.

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