Ga. Native, 23, Gets Purple Heart At Naval Academy

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A 23-year-old Georgia native was presented with a purple heart during a ceremony at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

The Capital of Annapolis reports Navy hospital corpsman Michael Couch received the medal during a ceremony this week. Couch was injured in February 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. He was traveling in a convoy when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over an explosive device and detonated. He was knocked unconscious and his eardrum was ruptured.

After three weeks of rehabilitation he rejoined his unit. Couch is now stationed at the Naval Academy where he is an optometry technician who pre-screens the vision of midshipmen before they meet with an optometrist. He also fits eyeglasses.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)