Alum David Buzzard Donates Purple Heart to UNCW

In a gesture that underscores his connection to his alma mater and sheds light on veteran suicide, Army veteran and alum David Buzzard ’18 presented his Purple Heart to UNCW during the annual Cape Fear Purple Heart dinner held Aug. 2 on the UNCW campus.  

The Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military decoration, previously known as the Badge of Military Merit, and was awarded to recognize heroic acts by troops during the Revolutionary War. Today, the Purple Heart Medal is awarded to those wounded or killed in action.  

Buzzard was wounded in 2011 during two combat tours in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device (IED). His donation of one of his two Purple Hearts was motivated by his desire to bring awareness “to a life of service to the fallen who made it back and ended up taking their own lives,” said Buzzard. He encouraged those in attendance to “always do better for our nation’s bravest” and continue to advocate for veterans and active service members.  

“Due to my experience in combat and dealing with these continuous mental health struggles, addressing veteran suicide and healing those that have been exposed to our nation’s battles have become my passion,” he said.  

Buzzard, who earned his degree in political science, works for an organization called HBOT4HEROES, which provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans at no cost.   

Since its founding as a G.I. Bill school in 1947, UNCW has welcomed many veterans, including faculty, staff and students who have been wounded in combat. In 2023, UNCW was designated as an official Purple Heart Designated University. The designation affirms the university’s commitment to those who have been wounded or killed while serving to protect freedom. 

“I am deeply grateful to David for his generous donation of his Purple Heart,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “It serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice it represents.”  

Other Purple Heart recipients from UNCW attending the event included: 

• Robert Allen Patrick, Cameron School of Business faculty and Cameron Executive Network co-director, U.S. Army 

• David Echevarria, Cameron School of Business faculty, U.S. Marine Corps 

• Julius Collins, UNCW Facilities (retired), U.S. Army 

• Michael Stubbings, UNCW student, U.S. Marine Corps 

Each year, on August 7, the nation commemorates Purple Heart recipients as part of National Purple Heart Day.