[Note: This story is updated because a spokesman for Joint Base Lewis-McChord said on Wednesday that Pfleider owes about $3,100, but that it is not related to missing equipment. See below for details.]

LEBANON, Ore. -- An injured Northwest soldier who spent time recovering at Joint Base Lewis McChord said the military awarded him a Purple Heart for his bravery and then sent him a $3,000 bill.

Gary Pfleider, a former Oregon National Guard soldier, said he was for equipment the military says he lost.

Pfleider joined the National Guard after Sept. 11, 2001, and six years later a sniper shot him in Iraq.

"I remember grabbing a hold of my leg and pulling my hands out and realizing that I had blood on my hands. And from that point on, until I got loaded onto the Stryker, was just a big blur," Pfleider said.

He received a Purple Heart three days after he was shot.

Two years later Pfleider said he got a bill from the military for missing equipment including clothing and grenades. The total, including interest was over $3,000.

Pfleider said he lost sight of the gear when he left Iraq and shouldn't be responsible for it now, but the federal government is taking money from his disability check each month.

He said he also froze his tax returns to pay for it.

The Oregon National Guard said the charges come from JBLM where Pfleider spent one year recovering from his injury.

Officials said it’s customary for soldiers in similar situations to be billed for missing equipment and they say Pfleider should submit a sworn statement, explaining his situation.

Pfleider said he did that four months ago.

"It could be on our part, on this one or could be on the soldier's part. That's one thing they're going to take a look at," said Capt. Stephen Bomar, public affairs officer for the Oregon Military Department.

"I think it's just sitting there on somebody's desk at Fort Lewis and they just don't want to mess with it," Pfleider said.

Pfleider said he wants to focus on his upcoming ninth leg surgery and adjusting to life after war.

JBLM said it’s investigating the issue.

Update: Joint Base Lewis-McChord issued a statement on Wednesday that said JBLM and the Oregon National Guard have "researched this issue involving Gary Pfleider and determined there is no indebtedness to this individual for missing equipment either from Joint Base Lewis-McChord or the Oregon National Guard."

"Gary Pfleider was discharged from the active Army on/about Sept 10, 2008. A Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss (FLIPL) was conducted at JBLM in Sept 2008 for equipment still on his records. At that time it was determined there was no liability or negligence due to MEDEVAC (medical evacuation), and he was relieved of the financial liability and property accountability," the statement read.

"There is $3,100 in debt but it has nothing to do with missing equipment," JBLM spokesman Joseph J. Piek told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Piek couldn't say what the money is owed for because the matter is covered by the Privacy Act.

Piek said Pfleider is in contact with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, or DFAS.