Angelina County Local earns Purple Heart in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Jason Wayne Walker, a native of Huntington, received the Purple Heart medal after being wounded by a mortar blast while stationed in Iraq. Walker, 30, also received a Combat Action Badge. The son of Gerald Wayne and Teresa Walker of Huntington is a 1996 graduate of Huntington High School and joined the Army in 1999. He is married to the former Jennifer Moreno and they have two children, Jace and Karlyn Walker. Mrs Walker is the daughter of: Pedro Moreno Jr and Terry Moreno of Corpus Christi and formerly of Diboll, and and Lynn and Bill Hardin of Diboll. He deployed from Fort Carson, Colo., and is now stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He also has been stationed at Hohenfels, Germany, and Fort Polk,La Walker was injured April 7. While on guard tower security, his tower was struck by a mortar round. His primary job is a light wheeled mechanic.