'The salute seen around the world': 'Unconscious' soldier injured by suicide bomb performs heroic gesture from his hospital bed

When U.S. soldier Cpl. Josh Hargis was hospitalised after a suicide bomb attack, his loved ones could only watch as he lay shut off from the world.

But when his commander pinned a bravery medal to Hargis's chest, the seemingly unconscious soldier made a gesture which has since warmed the hearts of millions worldwide.

Wrapped in bandages and strapped to several medical tubes, the dogged soldier raised his right arm into a salute to recognize the award he had received.

Despite his wounds, wrappings, and no doubt the blinding pain he was in as he lay in his hospital bed, heroic Hargis was determined to salute his commander in customary fashion after the hospital ceremony.

His inspirational gesture is now 'the salute seen around the world', while Hargis's wife declared him 'the epitome of what a man and an American and a soldier is'.

Hargis, 24, was wounded by shrapnel on October 6 when an Afghan woman detonated a suicide bomb vest, killing four of Hargis's 3rd Army Ranger Battalion and wounding 12 other U.S. soldiers.

Cpl. Hargis had a breathing tube inserted and extensive bandaging to his arm when he was presented with the Purple Heart bravery award just after coming out of surgery.

His wife Taylor Hargis, who posted the picture on Facebook on October 12, told NBC's WBBH: 'When I look at that picture, I just think of how proud I am.

'He is badass and he is strong, and he is the epitome of what a man and an American and a soldier is.'

She also posted part of a letter written by Hargis commander, which described the moment the injured soldier raised his right arm in salute.

The letter read: '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 cannot 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 newspaper, 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.'