Petty Officer 1st Class Timothy Helton, a Gainesville native serving with the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Beaufort, S.C., was recently awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received 15 years ago.
The award recognizes the wounds Helton endured on April 1, 2010, while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Tracy Isaac, commanding officer of NMRTC Beaufort, presented the medal to Helton during a ceremony earlier this month at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Helton is a 2007 graduate of Chestatee High School. Additionally, Helton earned an associate degree in health sciences in 2019.
“I truly owe a lot of my success in life to my mentors and coaches,” Helton said. “They taught me the importance of hard work, accountability and responsibility. I was convinced at an early age that anything is possible if you work hard enough.”
Helton has served in the Navy for 17 years.
“I joined the Navy for a chance at a better life,” Helton said. “I’ve always had an admiration for the military and I knew I needed something exciting and challenging in order to be fulfilled.”
Helton is now serving as a hospital corpsman.