( CNN ) -- If one image can tell an entire story , this is a powerful example . The photo is set in a hospital room . A patient with a neck brace , tubes attached everywhere , draped in a red , white and blue quilt , is lying in a bed . His bandaged right arm is raised in what we now know is a salute . His face is mostly obscured , but the photo captures details such as the color of the patient 's hair , the shadow of what appears to be a large bruise on his left cheek and a Purple Heart medal pinned to the quilt . The patient is Cpl . Joshua Hargis , 24 . His wife , Taylor , calls him Josh . The photo has been shared thousands of times since Taylor posted it to her Facebook page nearly a week after he was injured during a military operation in Afghanistan that killed four troops and injured 14 . She posted the image with the following story : . `` I received this picture today along with a letter from the commander of the team Josh was a part of on the night of his injuries . A letter to explain to me what kind of man I have the privilege of being married to . He explained to me what happened and what was going on in the picture . '' She then posted the contents of the letter she says she received : . `` Josh was seriously wounded as you know and survived for almost two hours after his injury before arriving to the hospital . Josh was immediately pushed through a series of surgeries and emerged hours later into an intensive care unit here at our base in Afghanistan . Despite being in intense pain and mental duress , Josh remained alert and compassionate to the limited Rangers that were allowed to visit him bedside . `` Prior to Josh being moved to Germany for his eventual flight to America , we conducted a ceremony to award him with the Purple Heart for wounds received in action . A simple ceremony , you can picture a room full of Rangers , leaders , doctors , and nurses surrounding his bedside while the Ranger Regimental Commander pinned the Purple Heart to his blanket . `` During the presentation the Commander publishes the official orders verbally and leaned over Josh to thank him for his sacrifice . Josh , whom everybody in the room ( over 50 people ) assumed to be unconscious , began to move his right arm under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the Commander as is customary during these ceremonies . Despite his wounds , wrappings , tubes , and pain , Josh fought the doctor who was trying to restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen . `` I can not impart on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that day . Grown men began to weep and we were speechless at a gesture that speak volumes about Josh 's courage and character . The picture , which we believe belongs on every news channel and every news paper is attached . I have it hanging above my desk now and will remember it as the single greatest event I have witnessed in my ten years in the Army . '' A military spokeswoman confirmed that Hargis was awarded the medal while hospitalized in Afghanistan . Tracy A. Bailey , a deputy public affairs officer , also confirmed the sentiment expressed by the commander in the letter . The Bravo Company commander , Bailey said , did not want to be identified . Hargis is one of 14 troops injured during a night combat operation in the Zhari district of Kandahar province , Afghanistan , on October 6 . During the mission , a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive near the assault force . As the assault force reacted to the initial blast , they were struck by a series of explosions , killing four soldiers , including two Army Rangers . While the photo continues to circulate around social media , Hargis is recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio , Texas . Bailey said Hargis was `` not in a position '' to make a statement to the media , but he did post a thank-you to supporters on his Facebook page last week . `` A huge thank you to everyone who was a part of this and is now a part of it . Only through your love and support may we overcome this difficult road ahead , '' Hargis wrote . Neither the family nor the military immediately disclosed details about his injuries . But Joshua 's father , Jim Hargis , told CNN affiliate WXIX that his son lost both legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device . A friend posted this response , which sums up most responses from people who 've seen the photo : . `` So wonderful to see your post Joshua . You are so loved and so many people have been touched by you and what has happened . May you have a speedy recovery and may you know how much you are loved and wished all the best . ''
Cpl . Ryan Hargis was killed in Afghanistan . He was presented with a Purple Heart in a military ceremony . A video of his salute has received thousands of views on social media .