MEDFORD, Wis. (AP) – A Medford Marine who suffered major injuries while saving a colleague has been awarded the Purple Heart.

Lance Cpl. Isaac Blunt received the award last week while surrounded by his family.

The 20-year-old was hurt last month while he was on patrol in Afghanistan. He shoved a fellow Marine out of the way so he could take the blast of a roadside bomb himself.

He lost parts of both legs, as well as three fingers and a thumb. The other Marine survived, but a third was killed.

Blunt says receiving the Purple Heart was bittersweet because his injury meant he was leaving his brothers on the battlefield with one less Marine to help.

He tells WSAW-TV he’s undergone more surgeries than he can count. He’s averaging three per week.

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