Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

The Purple Heart (the Badge of Military Merit) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving with the US military. Very few Filipinos get to receive the Purple Heart, which is the oldest symbol and award given to members of the US military. But last Jan 6, 2009, one such outstanding Pinoy was awarded during ceremonies on board US Naval Base San Diego.

Chief Storekeeper (SW) Chester Villanueva Gorriceta was presented the Purple Heart by the Commander of Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers, Rear Adm. Andy Brown.

The medal was awarded for injuries suffered as a result of hostile action last year in March 13,2008, during Gorriceta’s six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

"SKC Gorriceta is an amazing guy," Brown said. "He is credited with keeping a calm manner and maintaining his bearing under pressure. Chief (Gorriceta) certainly embodies the qualities found in the Navy Ethos and provides an example that we can take with us in executing our daily duties."

Chester Gorriceta was deployed to Afghanistan from October 2007 to April 2008 and was the Officer in Charge of Interim Logistic Facility in Kabul, Afghanistan responsible for the outfitting of 80,000 Afghanistan Police Force. He supervised a joint, multinational crew. On March 13, Gorriceta and his convoy, comprised of two armored vehicles, one truck and a utility vehicle, headed off to their daily work routine, when they met hostile enemy action.

In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal, Chief Gorriceta related what happened on that unforgettable March morning. "We did convoys in Afghanistan six days a week except Friday. I am in Charge of a four-man, two-vehicle convoy team. We were conducting our normal routine transiting to work when we were struck by a vehicle bourn improvised device (VBIED). It was a black Corolla Sedan that detonated itself in the middle of my convoy. The lead vehicle (an armored F350) was totally destroyed and burned. My vehicle, an armored Land Cruiser, was damaged and inoperable," relates Gorriceta.

Smoke and fire surrounded the scene as Gorriceta and the others assisted each other in exiting vehicles and establishing a safe point away from the area until coalition members arrived to evacuate them back to camp. As the officer-in-charge, Gorriceta kept his calm and quickly led his men. "I assessed the damage and rallied my troops and provided 360 degrees security until we can be rescued. There was no casualty on the coalition side, but six civilians and one insurgent were killed, and 30 were wounded," the Chief added.

Not immediately known to him, Gorriceta suffered injury as a result of the explosion. He explained, "I wasn’t treated right away, because I thought I felt fine. But later in the day, I had severe headaches and dizziness. So, I went back to medical to ask for some Motrin. I was diagnosed with blast trauma and a concussion, without the loss of consciousness." Though the head aches and dizziness, compounded by sleeplessness, continued (Chester said, "I am still recovering from the headaches that come and go."), the brave Pinoy was back on the road just four days after the incident.

The Los Angeles native and 14-year Navy veteran said in an interview after the award ceremonies that, "It was a difficult experience, and I get a little emotional when I think about it again after receiving this award today."

Chester was born Aug 23,1975 in Quezon City to Winston Gorriceta and Mercedita Villanueva Gorriceta of Iloilo. He is the third child with four siblings; Jhoanna, Jennifer, Joseph and Jannice. His mother, Mercy, used to be with the Ministry of Human Settlements while his father, Winston, worked with the Commission of Audit. Chester studied at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Integrated School until his parents decided to immigrate to the US with their children in 1990.

The Gorricetas first lived in Glendale, California where Chester graduated from Hoover High School. After high school, Chester decided to join the US Military.