Secretary Hagel awards a Purple Heart to a soldier Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel awards a Purple Heart to a soldier during a ceremony in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on March 9, 2013. Hagel is in Afghanistan on his first trip as secretary of defense to visit U.S. troops, NATO leaders, and Afghan counterparts. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.06 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 537624-V-WTZ07-012.jpg Photo Gallery