Area soldier wounded in Iraq receives medal

The soldier was wounded in a mortar attack at Mosul Airport.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Staff Sgt. Theron Robbins of Jamestown, injured in a mortar attack in Mosul, Iraq, had to return to the United States for treatment before he could be awarded a Purple Heart for his wounds.
Major Gen. Wesley Craig, commanding general of the 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized) came to New Castle on Saturday to personally present Robbins with the medal.
The ceremony took place just before noon at the New Castle Armory on Frank Street.
Robbins, a member of the 107th Field Artillery Unit of the 1st Battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard, was injured in a mortar attack on his forward operating base at Mosul Airport in the early afternoon hours of June 10.
Also injured
A second soldier at that location, Spc. Jonathan Brown, also of Jamestown, was also wounded in the attack. He was treated for his injuries and returned to duty. Brown received a Purple Heart shortly after the attack.
Lt. Col. Grey Berrier, battalion executive officer, said Robbins suffered shrapnel wounds in the attack and received treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for his injuries.
He is home on convalescent leave and has been receiving physical therapy on an outpatient basis, Berrier said.
Robbins' civilian occupation is a corrections officer at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Albion, Pa.
The 107th was converted to a military police unit for duty in Iraq and was activated in December 2003 for a 15- to 18-month period, including a 12-month tour in Iraq.