Members of Congress from Arkansas announced today that William Long of Conway, who was killed, and Quinton Ezeagwula of Jacksonville, who was wounded, will be awarded Purple Hearts in an attack at a Little Rock recruiting center in 2009.
Abdulhakim Muhammad, who pleaded guilty to charges in the case, said he opened fire on the men for wearing uniforms. He had traveled earlier to Yemen and associated with Al Qaeda.
The Purple Hearts are a result of legislation pushed by Arkansas congressmen to change criteria for the award. Normally, it is awarded to those killed or wounded in battle. The legislation authorizes the award if someone has been harmed because of their status in the military or if the attack was carried out by a foreign terrorist organization.