Posted: 7/25/07
NB man wounded in Iraq
 Flanked by his mother Debra Hildenbrand (left), father Anthony (right) and brother Richie (far right), PFC Justin Pinna is pictured posing for photographers just after receiving his Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
Army Private First Class Justin Pinna, 20, a 2005 graduate of North Branch, was recently awarded a Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge after he was wounded in a mortar attack east of Baghdad, Iraq, June 6. Currently, Pinna is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C, from serious wounds sustained in that attack.
Pinna, 3-1 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 3rd infantry Division, sustained injuries to his buttocks and thigh when a large piece of shrapnel passed through that area in the attack. He sustained shrapnel injuries to his arm as well.
Immediately following his injuries, Pinna was evacuated via Blackhawk helicopter to a hospital in Baghdad, where he was stabilized and transferred to Landstuhl in Germany. After a few days there he was flown to the U.S. and arrived at Walter Reed on June 12.
According to Pinna, he was informed by doctors at Walter Reed that the injury to his thigh was large enough to put a fist through. He also suffered fractures to his pelvic region as a result.
Despite the innumerable surgeries - most recently he had a skin graft placed in the area of his thigh injury - Pinna remains upbeat.
"I was very, very, fortunate," said Pinna of his circumstances. "If it had been a couple of inches over it would have taken off my leg."
Pinna's father, Anthony Pinna, recently recalled finding out about Justin's injuries. "I took it harder than he did," he said. "It was an emotional ride."
PFC Pinna is looking forward to returning home, which could happen in as little as two months. "I'm feeling better right now. I'll be here another month, and I'll be an outpatient for a little bit." If his recovery continues to go well, after his short stint as an out patient, Pinna will be allowed to return home to complete his recovery. "I'm looking forward to it," he said.
On June 29, Pinna was awarded a Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge in a ceremony at Walter Reed, and his father said it was quite an experience. "I wasn't expecting that. We walked in there and there were soldiers with arms and legs missing, or with eye patches. You think your kid is worse and you see all these other kids...
"When Justin was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, I just lost it."
Justin's mother, Debra Hildenbrand, and two brothers, Tony and Richie, were also in attendance for the ceremony.
Pinna says he is being well taken care of, and does not have many needs. He wouldn't mind some movies though, to help pass the time. "I like every kind of movie there is," he said. "Action, drama, ‘chick' flicks, and comedies."
Pinna has a DVD player in his room and if you would like to send him a movie, mail to:
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. NW.
Bldg. 2, Room 3GO4
Washington D.C., 23007
C/O Family Assistance Center - Justin J. Pinna
Comment from Bradley Tollberg, 8/6/07
Pinna was a good friend, i came over here with him. I was in the gym when it happened. When i found out about it all i could do was run around worrying about my best friend from high school and how he was doing. I wasent able to find out until he was at walter Reed. He was a friend from high school, and battle buddy, and a soldier. I miss seeing him around here, he kept me motivated and i helped him. It sucks now, i don't have my best friend over here with me anymore. We joined together, went to basic training together, went to Fort Benning Together, and went to Iraq Together, And to be honest i thought we would of came home together. He is a good friend and i miss him dearly, i am just glad he is safe, doing ok, and back in the states safe. I hope people back in are hometown of North Branch Realize that there are people in Iraq from North Branch, we are over here, helping fight the big fight....From Iraq, PFC Tollberg, North Branch 2005 Graduate
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