Injured Native Marine Visited by Echo Hawk at Bethesda Naval Hospital

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

BETHESDA, MARYLAND - Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk visited Marine Corporal Phillip Baldwin of Ft. Hall, Idaho, Tuesday at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Larry Echo Hawk visits Marine Corporal Phillip Baldwin

Echo Hawk, himself a former Marine and past resident of Ft. Hall, visited with the wounded serviceman, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, who lost both legs in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident on June 18.

The incident occurred while Corporal Baldwin was on foot patrol near the Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

"It's remarkable the resilience this young man has, to go through the ordeal he did and to be in such great spirits during our visit is a tribute to him and his family," said Echo Hawk. "I wish Corporal Baldwin the best of luck in his recovery and for the future."

Corporal Baldwin is in the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, out of San Diego, Calif. He will be returning there on July 20 to continue his rehabilitation. Bethesda Naval Hospital is located in Maryland just north of the nation's capital.

A bank account has been set up at the Pocatello Railroad Credit Union for those wishing to make donations to the Baldwin family.

posted July 20, 2011 6:00 am edt