U.S.
2 West Virginia National Guard members shot in DC will receive Purple Heart medals, Hegseth says
Stars and Stripes
February 8, 2026
Flowers and mementos are left near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington in tribute to two National Guard members who were shot in an attack on Nov. 26, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot in Washington, D.C., will receive Purple Heart medals, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday.
In November, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was shot and killed by an Afghan national near the White House. A second member of the West Virginia Guard, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was also shot and has since been recovering.
Speaking at a reenlistment ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, Hegseth said the two were being honored for their actions while serving in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force mission.
“We had a terrible thing happen a number of months ago. Andrew Wolfe. Sarah Beckstrom. One lost, one recovered, and thank God miraculously. Both soon to be Purple Heart recipients because they were attacked by a radical,” Hegseth said. “And medals to be given to those who responded in that moment which is not an easy assignment it’s the real deal, it’s the frontline.”
Hegseth administered the oath and reenlisted more than 100 National Guard personnel from nine states in front of the Washington monument. They are among more than 2,600 guardsmen currently serving in Washington.