BOISE, Idaho — Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Bistriceanu was awarded the Purple Heart medal at Gowen Field for injuries sustained during an attack in Syria on March 24, 2023. The attack occurred at Mission Support Site Conoco, where Iranian-backed militants launched multiple 22mm cluster munition rockets, dispersing over 30 submunitions each.
During the assault, Bistriceanu, serving as a platoon sergeant for HHC 2-116 Combined Arms Battalion, was conducting a changing of the guard under Force Protection Condition Delta. The first salvo resulted in a traumatic brain injury for Bistriceanu. Despite his injury, he maintained command and directed his platoon to take positions in their Bradley Fighting Vehicles. A subsequent salvo rendered Bistriceanu and his team unconscious.
Five other platoon members also received Purple Hearts for injuries sustained that day. The attack damaged a U.S. flag flown by Bistriceanu’s section on their vehicle for over 66 missions and 6,000 miles in eastern Syria. The flag is now displayed in the 19D course manager’s office at 1-204 Armor Training Battalion…