Iowa Purple Heart recipient recovering well

The family of an Eastern Iowa soldier injured in Afghanistan last month says he's doing well.

Sgt. Matthew Macke's vehicle was damaged by an improvised explosive device in the Paktya province of Afghanistan on April 27, according to military officials. The explosion severely damaged the vehicle and fractured Macke's right foot and left leg. On April 30, Macke was received a Purple Heart.

Macke is now recovering at a military facility in Fort Leonard Wood, Missoui. Macke's mother, Kelly Macke of Wyoming, said doctors are waiting for swelling to subside before operating on Macke's legs.

“All in all we're very lucky. It could have been much much worse,” Kelly Macke said.

Macke joined the National Guard right out of high school in 2003. At the time, Macke wasn't from a military family.

“But now we have another son and a son-in-law in the service - our son is in Iraq and our son-in-law in Afghanistan,” Kelly Macke said.

The most recent award was Macke's second Purple Heart. He was awarded his first in July 2006 after he was hurt in an explosion in Iraq. The Midland High School alum has won numerous other awards, including a Combat Infantry Badge and a War on Terrorism Service Medal, his mother said.