Sgt. Christopher Osborne, a 1994 graduate of Lafayette High, was presented with a Purple Heart for wounds he received in Afghanistan.  Osborne, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Feb. 4, serves with the 1138th Transportation Company headquarter at Jefferson Barracks.  For the past six months the unit has been performing convoy operations, delivering supplies to coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. 

While serving as a scout truck commander on a night mission in October, Sgt. Osborne and his convoy came under attack from an improvised explosive device, IED.  The IED heavily damaged Osborne's vehicle, but he and his three fellow crew members survived.  Osborne returned to full duty within a few weeks of the attack. 

Osborne, who is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was described as an “outstanding soldier” by Maj. Jamie Melchert, unit commander of the 1138th Transportation Company.