Retired U.S. Army Capt. James L. McCormick, a three-time Purple Heart recipient from New Haven, is making a push for U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom (left), and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (right) to receive a Purple Heart award after being attacked in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photos)

A decorated West Virginia veteran has called for the two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., to receive a Purple Heart award.

U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died on Thanksgiving as a result of her injuries, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in the hospital with severe wounds.  

The pair were ambushed Nov. 25 while on duty blocks from the White House while hundreds of Guard members were in D.C. for President Donald Trump’s “Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful.” 

“This was an act of terrorism. This was premeditated,” said Retired U.S. Army Capt. James L. McCormick, a three-time Purple Heart recipient from New Haven, West Virginia, who is making a push for Beckstrom and Wolfe to receive the award.

“I pray to God Almighty that they get the Purple Heart, and that those that heroically stood up and fought off this guy that they’re properly recognized,” he said.

McCormick believes that the nature of the targeted attack on Beckstrom and Wolfe makes them worthy of receiving the Purple Heart, a military honor given to military members injured or killed while serving.

An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was charged with one count of murder after the attack on the Guard members, as well as two counts of assault with the intent to kill, and a count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty.

McCormick received his Purple Hearts while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom II and III in 2004. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and injuries from a roadside bomb blast within five months. 

He previously served as the national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and now sits on the organization’s board. 

A Purple Heart designation comes with benefits that include priority for medical care from the VA, home loan benefits, employment preference and more. McCormick noted that a Purple Heart award includes benefits for deceased veterans’ families, which could be used by Beckstrom’s family.

As Gov. Patrick Morrisey has come under scrutiny for deploying Guard members to D.C., McCormick said the debate about the mission shouldn’t detract from honoring Beckstrom and Wolfe. 

“People like Sarah Beckstrom were defending not only the rights of the innocent people here, but she was also defending the rights of these people to be able to peacefully protest,” McCormick said.

Public or elected officials could reach out to the Department of War to push for the Purple Heart designation, McCormick said. Trump and military department secretaries have the authority to award the Purple Heart. 

“They did a great service. Who knows how many lives that they saved?” McCormick said. 

Beckstrom’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers to remember her life, donations be made to the Nicholas County Humane Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Funeral services for Beckstrom will be private.

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