James Battles

James Battles enlisted the Army National Guard in 1991, serving for the next 23 years as a member of the 45th Infantry Division, including a deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011-12.

In November 2011, SSG Battles was deployed as a Military Police Officer moving several high-value members of the Taliban in the Dawalet Shaw Mountains of Afghanistan. Three miles from their FOB, the MRAP Battles was in hit an IED and came under fire from Taliban fighters. After being knocked unconscious for about 5 minutes, Battles came too and began assisting other members of the unit in returning fire. The blast left Battles with a TBI, and he suffered hearing an vision loss for a time.

Along with the Purple Heart, SFC Battles was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star, the Combat Action Badge, and more.

Oklahoma Army National Guard Sergeant First Class (SFC) James Battles Jr. represented his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Oklahoma’s honoree during the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission.