QuadSquad
08-01-2007, 06:47 PM
Mobilizing America’s Heroes
Segs4Vets Program Announces the names of 19 OEF and OIF Disabled Vets who will Receive Segways in ceremonies in Washington D.C. in September.
St. Louis, August 1, 2007 – Nineteen more members of the United States military who sustained severe injuries while serving our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom will be presented with a Segway, a personal transporter to improve their mobility, in a ceremony to be held in Washington D.C. in September.
Segs4Vets recipients sustained severe injuries such as the amputation of their legs, traumatic burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. These injuries left them permanently disabled and many with difficulty walking. Recipients undergoing extensive training in the use of the Segway.
Segways are presented by Segs4Vets, a program of Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) an all volunteer 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that is funded by donations from concerned citizens from all across our Nation.
Segs4Vets was created by the founders of DRAFT together with General Ralph "Ed" Eberhart USAF (Ret), former Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command, to recognize the sacrifice of all of our disabled veterans from all conflicts and a reminder for our nation to never forget the unique needs they now have as a result of their service.
DRAFT was founded by Jerry Kerr and Leonard Timm, two disabled men who use Segways and Fred Kaplan, to champion the rights of people with disabilities and promote the use of universal design and new technology to improve the quality of their lives.
The Segway, a device not covered by military medical insurance, gives disabled veterans who have difficulty walking more mobility and allows them to perform everyday activities beyond the physical limitations of other mobility devices. Previous recipients have used Segways to return to college and easily move between classes across campus, and to accompany their wives and families when shopping or on other family outings.
The Segs4Vets program alternates its presentation ceremonies between Washington, DC and San Antonio, Texas. With this presentation, the program has awarded 55 Segways. The organizers hope to raise enough money to award an additional 50 by the end of the year. The waiting list includes hundreds of disabled military service members. The next Segs4Vets presentation is planned for late October in San Antonio, Texas.
DRAFT received a blanket waiver in 2006 for the Segs4Vets program from the United States Marine Corps, Army, Navy & Air Force and the Department of Defense allowing a donation to active-duty military personnel in excess of $1000. For more information or to make a donation visit www.Segs4Vets.org (http://www.segs4vets.org/)
Louisiana National Guard First Lt. Jeffrey Adams
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams from Baton Rouge, Louisiana was born on August 9, 1979. On November 7, 2004 while serving in Operation Iraq Freedom with the Louisiana National Guard's 1088th Engineering Battalion, Lt. Adams was on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED was detonated proximately 10 feet from him. The blast resulted in the immediate amputation/disintegration of 97% of his left leg. Lt. Adams, who was the first Louisiana National Guard member wounded in Iraq, was discharged on July 24, 2005 and he and his wife currently live in Huntsville Alabama.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Michael Blair
Corporal Michael Blair from Brenham, Texas was born December 10, 1974. Serving his second tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom on May 7, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, the Humvee Corporal Blair was driving struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in serious injuries to both of Corporal Blair's legs which resulted in necessity of the removal of large portions of tissue and bone bilaterally. Corporal Blair continues to receive care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua Bleill
Lance Corporal Joshua Bleill from Greenfield, Indiana was born March 8, 1977. Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on October 15, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, Lance Corporal Bleill was in the machine gun turret atop his Humvee when it struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in the deaths of two fellow Marines, Sgt. Brock Babb, 40, of Evansville, Indiana and Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Hines, 26, of Olney, Illinois and seriously wounding Lance Corporal Bleill. His injuries included a broken pelvis, broken jaw, shattered hip, broken nose, lacerated kidney, and resulted in the bilateral above knee amputation of his legs. Lance Corporal Bleill continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant Joshua Cope
Sergeant Joshua Cope from Panama City Beach, Florida was born November 25, 1982. During his first tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom Sergeant Joshua cope received his first Purple Heart taking an enemy round in his leg and being bitten by a poisonous desert spider. Later during that same tour when his Humvee struck an enemy mine Cope single-handedly rescued his team leader from their burning vehicle.
While serving in his second year-long tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom on November 12, 2006 with the Second Brigade of the First Infantry Division near Baghdad, Sergeant Cope's Humvee struck an IED. The blast from the detonation killed two other soldiers in the vehicle Pfc. Allman and Pfc. Kim and wounded another soldier Sergeant Lamb in addition to Sergeant Cope. Sergeant Cope sustained injuries which resulted in the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Sergeant Cope continues to receive care at the Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Ryan Dion
Corporal Ryan Dion from Manchester, Connecticut was born January 12, 1985. Serving his second tour of duty in operation Iraqi freedom on April 25, 2007 while conducting operations in Fallujah, Iraq, Corporal Dion was wounded when an IED was detonated and sustained injuries which resulted in the below knee amputation of his right leg, and other injuries including those to his face, hands and nerve damage. Corporal Dion continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant Robert Doughty
Sergeant Robert Doughty from Calvert City, Kentucky was born on December 5, 1974. On July 8, 2004 while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Sergeant Doughty was traveling in the lead vehicle of a three vehicle convoy when it was struck by an IED. The detonation and blast occurred on Sergeant Doughty's side of the vehicle sending shrapnel throughout his lower extremities. His injuries resulted in the above knee amputation of his right leg and the below knee amputation of his left leg.
United States Army Specialist Sue Downes
Specialist Sue Downes is 27 years old and from Tazewell, Tennessee. On November 28, 2006 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom Specialist Downes' deployed with a Military Police Company was traveling the mountainous roads of Afghanistan in a convoy headed for a humanitarian relief mission to a remote village. The Humvee in which Specialist Downes was the Turret Gunner was struck by the blast from two pressure plated antitank mines buried under the road with mortar and rocket propelled grenade rounds wired to them for added power. The explosion killed two other US soldiers and wounded Specialist Downes, her injuries resulted in the bilateral amputation of both legs and numerous other shrapnel wounds including a lacerated liver and large intestine, nerve damage and a collapsed lung. Specialist Downes continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
United States Army First Lt. John Fernandez
First Lt. John Fernandez from Shoreham, New York was born March 15, 1978. After graduating from West Point Lieutenant Fernandez was trained as an artillery officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to the Third Battalion, Third Field Artillery Unit. Lieutenant Fernandez was with the first wave of troops in operation Iraqi freedom and was among those who moved into Iraq on March 19, 2003 the first day of the war. On April 3, 2003 while doing reconnaissance in a Humvee 30 km south of Baghdad Lieutenant Fernandez was wounded when a 500 pound laser guided bomb struck his vehicle. Even after sustaining injuries which ultimately resulted in the bilateral below knee amputation of both of his legs Lieutenant Fernandez returned to the burning Humvee and dragged his gunner to safety.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Eric Frazier
Lance Corporal Eric Frazier from Altamont, Tennessee was born August 9, 1986. On October 23, 2006 United States Marine Corps Reservist Lance Corporal Eric Frazier while serving in Iraq was wounded when his Humvee was struck by an IED. The injuries sustained by Lance Corporal Frazier during the blast resulted in two pelvic fractures, spinal cord injury, broken left wrist, two lower jaw fractures, a lacerated liver and kidney and the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Lance Corporal Frazier continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant John Jones
Staff Sergeant John Jones from Enid, Oklahoma was born March 12, 1977.
On January 3, 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the First Platoon, Charlie Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, Staff Sergeant Jones's Humvee struck a double stack landmine while on patrol. The injuries Jones suffered from the detonation of the blast resulted in the bilateral below knee amputation of his legs. Staff Sergeant Jones was medically retired on January 29, 2007 and lives in San Antonio, Texas where he serves at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant John Keith
Sergeant John Keith from Ridgeland, Mississippi was born on February 16, 1967. On November 9, 2004 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the First Cavalry Division Unit, Sergeant Keith, a medic, was part of a convoy responding to another convoy under attack. Sergeant Keith’s convoy came under attack and a rocket propelled grenade hit the door of his Humvee. The explosion seared Sergeant Keith's lungs and badly damaged his left leg. Sergeant Keith administered his own first aid bandaging and giving himself a shot of morphine prior to other medics arriving. The injuries resulted in the above knee amputation of his leg. Sergeant Keith has returned to active duty and is currently serving at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Kenneth Lyon
Corporal Kenneth Lyon from Marian, Maryland was born May 6, 1985. On May 1, 2006 while serving in operation Iraqi freedom Corporal Lyon was wounded in a rocket attack. His injuries which resulted in the above knee amputation of his left leg, included nerve damage to his left arm, ulnar nerve damage to his right arm and shrapnel wounds to his brain. Corporal Lyon continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army medical center.
Kentucky National Guard Specialist Chase Matthews
Specialist Chase Matthews from Dycusburg, Kentucky was born on September 1, 1984.
On March 19, 2007, while conducting combat operations In Iraq Specialist Matthews was in a scout vehicle escorting a convoy when his Humvee struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in Specialist Matthews being severely wounded and (in addition to injuries to his left arm, wrist and hand) resulted in the above knee amputation of his left leg and the below knee amputation of his right.
Specialist Matthews continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
United States Marine Corps Corporal Patrick Murray
Corporal Patrick Murray from North Kingstown, Rhode Island was born July 8, 1983. Serving with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines weapons Company in Operation Iraqi Freedom on September 4, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, Corporal Murray was seriously wounded when the Humvee he was traveling in struck an IED. His injuries (which included burns to both hands) resulted in the above knee amputation of his leg. Corporal Murray continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Michael Pocius
Petty Officer Third Class Michael Pocius from Spotswood, New Jersey was born November 9, 1981
On July 27, 2006 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom Corpsman Pocius attached to the United States Marine Corps was on patrol in the Al Anbar Province of Ramadi, Iraq when he was wounded by the detonation of an IED. His injuries resulted in the below knee amputation of his leg. Pocius was medically retired on July 4, 2007 and is living in Little Falls, New Jersey.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Derrick Sharpe
Lance Corporal Derek Sharpe from Berwick, Pennsylvania was born May 29, 1987. While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on September 23, 2006 while on patrol Lance Corporal Sharpe stepped on an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in serious injuries to Lance Corporal Sharpe including severe internal injuries to the abdomen, fractures of his hip and tail bone and injuries to both legs which resulted in the amputation of his right foot and permanent nerve damage to his left. Lance Corporal Sharpe continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Bradley Walker
Corporal Bradley Walker from White Pine, Tennessee was born on December 9, 1980.
On November 27, 2006 while conducting operations in Haditha, Iraq the Humvee that Corporal Walker was driving struck an IED. The blast from the detonation severely wounded Corporal Walker and (in addition to various back injuries, a shattered pelvis/sacrum) resulted in the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Corporal Walker continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Wilson
Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson from Delmont, Arkansas was born August 12, 1976. After serving our nation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Wilson volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom, even though he could've chosen to go to Arkansas and train reservists, because he wanted to do his part. On November 14, 2006 Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson was wounded when the Humvee he was traveling in near Haditha, Iraq struck an IED. The blast from the detonation of the IED killed three other Marines who were inside the Humvee. Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson was thrown clear of the vehicle saving his life but incurring serious injury including shrapnel wounds to his back, ribs, arm, femur and other injuries which resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson is serving in the Washington D.C. area.
United States Marine Corps Sergeant James “Eddie” Wright
Sergeant James "Eddie" Wright from Seattle, Washington was born September 25, 1975. On April 4, 2007 Sergeant Wright's patrol was in the Anbar province of Iraq when it came under attack. Sgt. Wright immediately engaged the enemy with his automatic weapon, continuing to fire until his vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. Sergeant Wright was wounded sustaining injuries which resulted in the amputation of both of his hands and severe nerve damage to his leg. Sergeant Wright who served as the Assistant Team Leader with Company B., First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, remained calm and continue to give orders to his Marines even after he was wounded.
After his release from Walter Reed Army Medical Center Sergeant Wright continued his service to our nation as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor at Quantico until he was medically retired on May 31, 2006. "Eddie" Wright now makes his home in Willis, Texas and continues his service to our nation serving on the Purple Heart Advisory Board and working with Operation Grateful Nation. He is involved in numerous projects to increase the awareness of the needs of wounded service members and veterans.
Segs4Vets Program Announces the names of 19 OEF and OIF Disabled Vets who will Receive Segways in ceremonies in Washington D.C. in September.
St. Louis, August 1, 2007 – Nineteen more members of the United States military who sustained severe injuries while serving our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom will be presented with a Segway, a personal transporter to improve their mobility, in a ceremony to be held in Washington D.C. in September.
Segs4Vets recipients sustained severe injuries such as the amputation of their legs, traumatic burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. These injuries left them permanently disabled and many with difficulty walking. Recipients undergoing extensive training in the use of the Segway.
Segways are presented by Segs4Vets, a program of Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) an all volunteer 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that is funded by donations from concerned citizens from all across our Nation.
Segs4Vets was created by the founders of DRAFT together with General Ralph "Ed" Eberhart USAF (Ret), former Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command, to recognize the sacrifice of all of our disabled veterans from all conflicts and a reminder for our nation to never forget the unique needs they now have as a result of their service.
DRAFT was founded by Jerry Kerr and Leonard Timm, two disabled men who use Segways and Fred Kaplan, to champion the rights of people with disabilities and promote the use of universal design and new technology to improve the quality of their lives.
The Segway, a device not covered by military medical insurance, gives disabled veterans who have difficulty walking more mobility and allows them to perform everyday activities beyond the physical limitations of other mobility devices. Previous recipients have used Segways to return to college and easily move between classes across campus, and to accompany their wives and families when shopping or on other family outings.
The Segs4Vets program alternates its presentation ceremonies between Washington, DC and San Antonio, Texas. With this presentation, the program has awarded 55 Segways. The organizers hope to raise enough money to award an additional 50 by the end of the year. The waiting list includes hundreds of disabled military service members. The next Segs4Vets presentation is planned for late October in San Antonio, Texas.
DRAFT received a blanket waiver in 2006 for the Segs4Vets program from the United States Marine Corps, Army, Navy & Air Force and the Department of Defense allowing a donation to active-duty military personnel in excess of $1000. For more information or to make a donation visit www.Segs4Vets.org (http://www.segs4vets.org/)
Louisiana National Guard First Lt. Jeffrey Adams
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams from Baton Rouge, Louisiana was born on August 9, 1979. On November 7, 2004 while serving in Operation Iraq Freedom with the Louisiana National Guard's 1088th Engineering Battalion, Lt. Adams was on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED was detonated proximately 10 feet from him. The blast resulted in the immediate amputation/disintegration of 97% of his left leg. Lt. Adams, who was the first Louisiana National Guard member wounded in Iraq, was discharged on July 24, 2005 and he and his wife currently live in Huntsville Alabama.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Michael Blair
Corporal Michael Blair from Brenham, Texas was born December 10, 1974. Serving his second tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom on May 7, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, the Humvee Corporal Blair was driving struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in serious injuries to both of Corporal Blair's legs which resulted in necessity of the removal of large portions of tissue and bone bilaterally. Corporal Blair continues to receive care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua Bleill
Lance Corporal Joshua Bleill from Greenfield, Indiana was born March 8, 1977. Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on October 15, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, Lance Corporal Bleill was in the machine gun turret atop his Humvee when it struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in the deaths of two fellow Marines, Sgt. Brock Babb, 40, of Evansville, Indiana and Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Hines, 26, of Olney, Illinois and seriously wounding Lance Corporal Bleill. His injuries included a broken pelvis, broken jaw, shattered hip, broken nose, lacerated kidney, and resulted in the bilateral above knee amputation of his legs. Lance Corporal Bleill continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant Joshua Cope
Sergeant Joshua Cope from Panama City Beach, Florida was born November 25, 1982. During his first tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom Sergeant Joshua cope received his first Purple Heart taking an enemy round in his leg and being bitten by a poisonous desert spider. Later during that same tour when his Humvee struck an enemy mine Cope single-handedly rescued his team leader from their burning vehicle.
While serving in his second year-long tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom on November 12, 2006 with the Second Brigade of the First Infantry Division near Baghdad, Sergeant Cope's Humvee struck an IED. The blast from the detonation killed two other soldiers in the vehicle Pfc. Allman and Pfc. Kim and wounded another soldier Sergeant Lamb in addition to Sergeant Cope. Sergeant Cope sustained injuries which resulted in the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Sergeant Cope continues to receive care at the Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Ryan Dion
Corporal Ryan Dion from Manchester, Connecticut was born January 12, 1985. Serving his second tour of duty in operation Iraqi freedom on April 25, 2007 while conducting operations in Fallujah, Iraq, Corporal Dion was wounded when an IED was detonated and sustained injuries which resulted in the below knee amputation of his right leg, and other injuries including those to his face, hands and nerve damage. Corporal Dion continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant Robert Doughty
Sergeant Robert Doughty from Calvert City, Kentucky was born on December 5, 1974. On July 8, 2004 while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Sergeant Doughty was traveling in the lead vehicle of a three vehicle convoy when it was struck by an IED. The detonation and blast occurred on Sergeant Doughty's side of the vehicle sending shrapnel throughout his lower extremities. His injuries resulted in the above knee amputation of his right leg and the below knee amputation of his left leg.
United States Army Specialist Sue Downes
Specialist Sue Downes is 27 years old and from Tazewell, Tennessee. On November 28, 2006 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom Specialist Downes' deployed with a Military Police Company was traveling the mountainous roads of Afghanistan in a convoy headed for a humanitarian relief mission to a remote village. The Humvee in which Specialist Downes was the Turret Gunner was struck by the blast from two pressure plated antitank mines buried under the road with mortar and rocket propelled grenade rounds wired to them for added power. The explosion killed two other US soldiers and wounded Specialist Downes, her injuries resulted in the bilateral amputation of both legs and numerous other shrapnel wounds including a lacerated liver and large intestine, nerve damage and a collapsed lung. Specialist Downes continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
United States Army First Lt. John Fernandez
First Lt. John Fernandez from Shoreham, New York was born March 15, 1978. After graduating from West Point Lieutenant Fernandez was trained as an artillery officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to the Third Battalion, Third Field Artillery Unit. Lieutenant Fernandez was with the first wave of troops in operation Iraqi freedom and was among those who moved into Iraq on March 19, 2003 the first day of the war. On April 3, 2003 while doing reconnaissance in a Humvee 30 km south of Baghdad Lieutenant Fernandez was wounded when a 500 pound laser guided bomb struck his vehicle. Even after sustaining injuries which ultimately resulted in the bilateral below knee amputation of both of his legs Lieutenant Fernandez returned to the burning Humvee and dragged his gunner to safety.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Eric Frazier
Lance Corporal Eric Frazier from Altamont, Tennessee was born August 9, 1986. On October 23, 2006 United States Marine Corps Reservist Lance Corporal Eric Frazier while serving in Iraq was wounded when his Humvee was struck by an IED. The injuries sustained by Lance Corporal Frazier during the blast resulted in two pelvic fractures, spinal cord injury, broken left wrist, two lower jaw fractures, a lacerated liver and kidney and the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Lance Corporal Frazier continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant John Jones
Staff Sergeant John Jones from Enid, Oklahoma was born March 12, 1977.
On January 3, 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the First Platoon, Charlie Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, Staff Sergeant Jones's Humvee struck a double stack landmine while on patrol. The injuries Jones suffered from the detonation of the blast resulted in the bilateral below knee amputation of his legs. Staff Sergeant Jones was medically retired on January 29, 2007 and lives in San Antonio, Texas where he serves at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center.
United States Army Sergeant John Keith
Sergeant John Keith from Ridgeland, Mississippi was born on February 16, 1967. On November 9, 2004 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the First Cavalry Division Unit, Sergeant Keith, a medic, was part of a convoy responding to another convoy under attack. Sergeant Keith’s convoy came under attack and a rocket propelled grenade hit the door of his Humvee. The explosion seared Sergeant Keith's lungs and badly damaged his left leg. Sergeant Keith administered his own first aid bandaging and giving himself a shot of morphine prior to other medics arriving. The injuries resulted in the above knee amputation of his leg. Sergeant Keith has returned to active duty and is currently serving at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Kenneth Lyon
Corporal Kenneth Lyon from Marian, Maryland was born May 6, 1985. On May 1, 2006 while serving in operation Iraqi freedom Corporal Lyon was wounded in a rocket attack. His injuries which resulted in the above knee amputation of his left leg, included nerve damage to his left arm, ulnar nerve damage to his right arm and shrapnel wounds to his brain. Corporal Lyon continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army medical center.
Kentucky National Guard Specialist Chase Matthews
Specialist Chase Matthews from Dycusburg, Kentucky was born on September 1, 1984.
On March 19, 2007, while conducting combat operations In Iraq Specialist Matthews was in a scout vehicle escorting a convoy when his Humvee struck an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in Specialist Matthews being severely wounded and (in addition to injuries to his left arm, wrist and hand) resulted in the above knee amputation of his left leg and the below knee amputation of his right.
Specialist Matthews continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
United States Marine Corps Corporal Patrick Murray
Corporal Patrick Murray from North Kingstown, Rhode Island was born July 8, 1983. Serving with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines weapons Company in Operation Iraqi Freedom on September 4, 2006 while conducting operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, Corporal Murray was seriously wounded when the Humvee he was traveling in struck an IED. His injuries (which included burns to both hands) resulted in the above knee amputation of his leg. Corporal Murray continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Michael Pocius
Petty Officer Third Class Michael Pocius from Spotswood, New Jersey was born November 9, 1981
On July 27, 2006 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom Corpsman Pocius attached to the United States Marine Corps was on patrol in the Al Anbar Province of Ramadi, Iraq when he was wounded by the detonation of an IED. His injuries resulted in the below knee amputation of his leg. Pocius was medically retired on July 4, 2007 and is living in Little Falls, New Jersey.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Derrick Sharpe
Lance Corporal Derek Sharpe from Berwick, Pennsylvania was born May 29, 1987. While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on September 23, 2006 while on patrol Lance Corporal Sharpe stepped on an IED. The blast from the detonation resulted in serious injuries to Lance Corporal Sharpe including severe internal injuries to the abdomen, fractures of his hip and tail bone and injuries to both legs which resulted in the amputation of his right foot and permanent nerve damage to his left. Lance Corporal Sharpe continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Corporal Bradley Walker
Corporal Bradley Walker from White Pine, Tennessee was born on December 9, 1980.
On November 27, 2006 while conducting operations in Haditha, Iraq the Humvee that Corporal Walker was driving struck an IED. The blast from the detonation severely wounded Corporal Walker and (in addition to various back injuries, a shattered pelvis/sacrum) resulted in the above knee amputation of one leg and the below knee amputation of the other. Corporal Walker continues to receive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
United States Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Wilson
Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson from Delmont, Arkansas was born August 12, 1976. After serving our nation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Wilson volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom, even though he could've chosen to go to Arkansas and train reservists, because he wanted to do his part. On November 14, 2006 Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson was wounded when the Humvee he was traveling in near Haditha, Iraq struck an IED. The blast from the detonation of the IED killed three other Marines who were inside the Humvee. Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson was thrown clear of the vehicle saving his life but incurring serious injury including shrapnel wounds to his back, ribs, arm, femur and other injuries which resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson is serving in the Washington D.C. area.
United States Marine Corps Sergeant James “Eddie” Wright
Sergeant James "Eddie" Wright from Seattle, Washington was born September 25, 1975. On April 4, 2007 Sergeant Wright's patrol was in the Anbar province of Iraq when it came under attack. Sgt. Wright immediately engaged the enemy with his automatic weapon, continuing to fire until his vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. Sergeant Wright was wounded sustaining injuries which resulted in the amputation of both of his hands and severe nerve damage to his leg. Sergeant Wright who served as the Assistant Team Leader with Company B., First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, remained calm and continue to give orders to his Marines even after he was wounded.
After his release from Walter Reed Army Medical Center Sergeant Wright continued his service to our nation as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor at Quantico until he was medically retired on May 31, 2006. "Eddie" Wright now makes his home in Willis, Texas and continues his service to our nation serving on the Purple Heart Advisory Board and working with Operation Grateful Nation. He is involved in numerous projects to increase the awareness of the needs of wounded service members and veterans.