Airman who foiled Paris train attack to receive Purple Heart

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced Monday that Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone will be awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he suffered while subduing a gunman who opened fire on a Paris-bound train last month.

Stone, 23, will be awarded the Purple Heart, as well as the Airman’s Medal, this Thursday during an awards ceremony at the Pentagon.  

{mosads}Army National Guard Spc. Alek Skarlatos, 22, will receive the Soldier’s Medal, and college student Anthony Sadler, 23, will receive a civilian award, the Defense secretary’s medal for valor, for their roles in thwarting the attack. 

The announcement of the Purple Heart followed a determination by French law enforcement that the attack was a “terrorist-related event,” according to Air Force officials. 

The three were on vacation in Europe when they encountered the heavily armed gunman on the train. After hearing gunshots, the three friends leapt from their seats and subdued the attacker, 25-year-old Moroccan citizen Ayoub el-Khazzani. 

British businessman Chris Norman also helped subdue the attacker. All four were awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest award.