Three Service Members Earn Purple Hearts for Heroic Aid After Iranian Missile Strike

During an Iranian ballistic missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 27, a 550-pound projectile landed close to a U.S. bunker, causing shockwaves and darkness. Staff Sgt. Kalob Mitchell, Sgt. Xavier Jones and Spc. Nicholas Cabo of the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment responded immediately, administering tourniquets and tactical combat casualty care to two seriously wounded soldiers and stabilizing a third with a neck injury.

Despite minor bleeding to his own leg, Cabo continued the rescue effort. The trio was later awarded Purple Hearts and special recognition, with their unit commander, Capt. Tyler Ritter, reading gratitude letters from those they saved. The Defense Casualty Analysis System reports 21 killed and 865 wounded since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, highlighting the broader toll on U.S forces.