JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Master Sgt. Marc B. Manilla received a Purple Heart at East Tennessee State University's (ETSU) Ford Oval of Honor event on Sept. 20.

On January 13, 2007, in Iraq, intelligence had revealed an Al-Qaeda safehouse, and Manilla's unit had just completed a successful raid, according to a news release from ETSU.

“We had to transport those enemy combatants back to base,” Manilla said in the release. “Prior to getting back, we stopped at a checkpoint. I had to get out of the vehicle to assist in security, and I reminded everyone that there had been sniper activity in the area.” 

As Manilla exited the vehicle, two rounds came his way, with the first narrowly missing his head.  

"The second struck the top corner of his body armor, resulting in him falling back and i

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