Surnames: Amos, Blunt, Smith

----Source: Ashley Smith, The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI), online, July 7, 2011

The Medford Marine who was injured in an attack in Afghanistan two weeks ago has earned a Purple Heart.

Lance Cpl. Isaac Blunt, 20, received the Purple Heart last week with his family surrounding him in Bethesda, Md.

"We were all surprised it came so soon," said Blunt's mother, Annette Blunt, who lives in Medford. "I'm proud of him, what he did, pushed someone else out of the way and took the bomb himself."

Isaac Blunt received severe injuries June 14 after he and his patrol were hit by an improvised explosive device in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

The Blunt family, including Isaac Blunt's wife, Brittany and their 16-month-old daughter, Izzy Belle, have been by his side since he returned stateside.

"He's had a lot of surgeries, just about every other day," said Isaac Blunt's father, Duane Blunt Sr., of Medford.

Both of Isaac Blunt's legs have been amputated above the knee, along with three of his fingers and his thumb on his left hand, Duane Blunt said. Isaac Blunt soon will have his left eye removed. He also is being weaned from intravenous medications.

"He's taking almost all oral medications; that's a plus," Duane Blunt said. "The level of care at Bethesda's National Naval Medical Center is amazing."

After Isaac's eye surgery, he'll spend four to eight weeks in recovery and then travel to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif., to be fitted for prosthetics, Duane said.

Isaac's spirits remain high.

"He's doing fine. He's very happy," Annette Blunt said. "He's still in a lot of pain, but we're trying to help him with it."

Duane Blunt said despite the injury, Isaac wants to remain in the Marines.

"He was talking about staying in the military for 20 years total," Duane Blunt said. "But that can change, too. I don't know. He's got two more years to go and then get out."

Isaac received the Purple Heart from Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, Duane Blunt said.

"That was an honor," he said. "I was at a loss for words."