CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee — Navy officials say they are going to award the Purple Heart to four Marines and a sailor who were killed, and a Marine who was injured when a gunman attacked a Chattanooga reserve center this past summer.
U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the decision Wednesday in a news release that also noted that the FBI and Naval Criminal Investigation Service determined the attack was inspired by a foreign terrorist group. That determination was necessary to bestow the award.
Earlier Wednesday, FBI Director James Comey told reporters the July 16 attack was "inspired and motivated by foreign terrorist propaganda."
Shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Killed in the attack were Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan and Lance Cpt. Squire "Skip" Wells.
Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley was injured.
Shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Senator Tammy Baldwin issued this statement on the Purple Heart award for Holmquist:
In July, Senator Baldwin introduced the Military Facilities Force Protection Act to better protect our men and women in uniform from the types of attacks that occurred in Chattanooga.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 includes a provision from Senator Baldwin to improve site security at military facilities.