North High grad receives Purple Heart

Spc. Jeffrey Reedy honored after being wounded March 18 in Iraq

September 01, 2006

Spc. Jeffrey Reedy, son of Don and Nancy Reedy of Hagerstown, recently was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded March 18 in Iraq.

What made the medal ceremony at Fort Campbell, Ky., particularly special was that Reedy's medal was pinned on him by his grandfather. Yale L. Hanks, 90, is a World War II veteran and former Hagerstown resident who lives in York, Pa.

According to a story in The York (Pa.) Dispatch, Reedy, serving with a Pennsylvania National Guard unit assigned to the 28th Infantry Division, was shot in the hand while patrolling an Iraqi town near Camp Habeneya.

According to the story, he volunteered to join the Tennessee National Guard following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, enlisting specifically to be deployed to Iraq.

When his Tennessee Guard unit was called home, he elected to stay in the war zone and was assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

His grandfather served in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946, reaching the rank of first sergeant. Hanks fought in the Philippines, and served in the occupation forces in Japan, according to the Dispatch story. He lived in Hagerstown and worked for Bon-Ton/Eyerly's in Hagerstown before being transferred to York.

Hanks wore his World War II uniform to his grandson's Purple Heart ceremony.

Reedy is a 1982 graduate of North Hagerstown High School. He hopes to continue his military career after his hand heals, according to the Dispatch story.

Reedy, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., told the Tennessee National Guard newspaper that he is looking forward to returning home and working with children through Teen Tactics, an organization that educates young people about substance abuse, bullying, public safety and personal defense.

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