Purple Heart recipient grandfather dies saving 3-year-old granddaughter from explosion

An Oklahoma Army veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart has unfortunately died as a result of the injuries he sustained rescuing his 3-year-old granddaughter from an explosion that caused a fire. KFOR reported that Don Osteen and 3-year-old Paetyn were having lunch on September 19th when a gas leak caused an explosion. 

Don suffered from extensive burns on most of his body, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. Despite his injuries, Don used his body to shield Paetyn from the ensuing fire and carried her a quarter of a mile to help. According to officials, Paetyn suffered burns to 30% of her body. 

"Not only was the fire devastating, but the entire house collapsed on them both during the fire," family members wrote on a GoFundMe page. "Papa rushed to cover Pae with his body to save her from the collapsing house and flames." 

“He just got out of the house and headed straight towards where he knew help was,” Brendon Osteen, Don’s son, and Paetyn’s father, said. “He tried to get in his truck and his keys were melted to him. His phone was exploded in his pocket.” 

Unable to use his phone or start his car, Don carried Paetyn to his wife for help. 

“He wasn’t worried about himself at all,” Brendon told KFOR. “I’ll leave it at that, but ‘save her’ is what message he was trying to get across, and he did exactly that.” 

The pair were taken to Integris Burn Center in Oklahoma City by helicopter. 

Unfortunately, Brendon took to Facebook on the 24th to tell friends and family that Don had passed away as a result of his injuries.

"Unfortunately my dad Don O’Steen passed away this afternoon around 1pm," Brendon wrote. 

"He was surrounded by a large group of his favorite people for his last 5 days. He knew that he did his job by saving the life of his Boo Boo Chicken. He loved my daughter beyond unconditionally."

But thanks to Don's efforts, Paetyn is "healing up wonderfully." 

The 3-year-old has since been moved into her own room on the pediatric floor and will undergo a skin graph on Thursday. 

A memorial service with military honors for Don Osteen will be scheduled for a later date. 

The 69-year-old served in the U.S. Army and was wounded in Vietnam in the early 1970s, which earned him the Purple Heart. He also received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksmanship Medal, and two Bronze Star Medals. 

The family have set up a fundraiser to help pay for medical costs.