An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates presents coins to the children of Purple Heart recipient Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Rohde at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif., on Aug. 12, 2010.

Secretary Gates presents coins to the children of Purple Heart recipient Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Rohde.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates presents coins to the children of Purple Heart recipient Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Rohde at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif., on Aug. 12, 2010.

Photo Gallery