PIERRE, S.D. - At the request of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has proclaimed Wednesday, August 7, 2019, as “Purple Heart Recognition Day," calling on all South Dakotans to honor those men and women who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.
Our nation’s oldest military medal, the Purple Heart is awarded to those men and women who have been wounded or killed as the result of enemy action while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The Purple Heart was created on August 7, 1782, by the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington, whose likeness is now featured on the medal.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota is pleased to honor Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore, a federal prosecutor in our Pierre office, who was awarded the Purple Heart while serving overseas in the United States Marine Corps.
AUSA Elmore was born and raised in Gillette and Campbell County, Wyoming, where his family still resides. He grew up working the family cattle ranch. From 2007 to 2011, he was in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Scout Sniper, conducting operations as part of combat reconnaissance and surveillance teams. He had three deployments in support of the Global War on Terror, including to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Afghanistan. In 2010, Elmore was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of injuries sustained in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
In 2011, Elmore was honorably discharged having attained the rank of Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, he attended St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, and graduated from Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas, in 2015. While in Texas, Elmore worked extensively with non-profit agencies to promote awareness and raise money for wounded veteran and memorial groups.
From 2016 to 2018, he served as a Deputy County Attorney in Custer County, Montana. In 2018, Elmore joined the Pierre branch of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. He is a member of the South Dakota Bar Association and the United States District Court Bar. He is assigned to work cases arising on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, and his present work includes prosecuting violent crime, firearm, and methamphetamine offenses arising in Central South Dakota.
“We are pleased to honor our friend and colleague, Michael Elmore, for his heroism and sacrifice on behalf of our country," said United States Attorney Ron Parsons.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
