A Mountain City native killed in the deadly attack at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009 has been honored by the U.S. Army for his sacrifice.
Army Spc. Frederick Greene died from injuries he sustained in the attack as he tried to take down the shooter to prevent him from killing or injuring others.
On Nov. 5, 2009, Nidal Hasan, an Army Major and psychiatrist opened fire on soldiers at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, killing 12 soldiers and 1 civilian and injuring 30 other people, making it the deadliest mass shooting on a U.S. military installation.
Initially, the attacks were not considered an act of terrorism by the military nor were the deaths and injuries considered to have occurred in the line of duty.
Congress recently expanded the eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart to include victims of an attack inspired or motivated by any group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. This meant Greene’s sacrifice for his country and fellow soldiers could now be recognized with the Purple Heart.
A special ceremony was held at the Veterans Administration Mountain Home campus in Johnson City on May 1 where Greene’s mother, Karen Nourse, was presented with a Purple Heart medal in honor of her son’s death in the line of duty.
“The events of that day changed the lives of everyone involved,” said Army Brig. Gen. Edward Daly. “Today we remember his active courage that prevented an even greater tragedy from unfolding that day.”
“He took heroic actions to charge the shooter during that terrorist attack,” Daly added. “We will never forget his sacrifice that day.”
Also speaking at the ceremony was Army SFC Alan Bair, who served as the family’s military support officer in the wake of Greene’s death.
“I did not know Spc. Frederick Greene personally, but shortly after meeting Karen and Rob, it made sense all the wonderful things I was hearing about Fred,” Bair said. “Karen told me enlisting in the Army was always his dream, going all the way back to when he was a young child playing with Army men.”
“The world has lost an amazing hero, and a true hero he was,” Bair added.
In addition to presenting Greene’s mother with the Purple Heart medal for her son, the Army also presented Karen Nourse, and her husband Rob Nourse, Greene’s stepfather, with the Army’s Gold Star lapel pins, which are given to those who have lost a family member in service.
After waiting several years to have her son’s sacrifice honored, Karen Nourse said Friday was a special day for their family.
“It means that the country can finally see that my son gave his life for his country and his fellow soldiers,” she said.
Having the ceremony at the VA Mountain Home campus made the event even more special.
“This is where Fred and I came the day before he left for basic training,” she said. “We came here and had a picnic and walked the grounds. It was a special place for us.”
When people think of Greene, Nourse said she would him to be remembered as a “kind and gentle man” and also as a dedicated soldier and wonderful son.
“He was also very humble,” she said. “If he were here today he would say he doesn’t deserve this.”
Greene was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal. His other awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. Greene also qualified as an expert marksman.
Another ceremony was held on April 10 at Fort Hood where the Purple Heart medal was presented to Greene’s widow, Christie Greene.
Green is survived by his wife Christie, daughters Haley and Allison, his mother and stepfather Karen and Rob Nourse, his father John Greene, his brother Shane and a cousin, Jessie Ray Heaton, who was like a brother to him.