HM3 Nathaniel “Randell” Leoncio

Escondido, CA

Mission Accomplished on August 24, 2024

Originally from the Philippines, Nathaniel “Randell” Leoncio joined the Navy to serve as a corpsman with the Marines with aspirations of becoming a firefighter paramedic.

On Oct. 4, 2005, HM3 Leoncio was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, when his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device (IED) in Ramadi, Iraq. He sustained severe injuries, including a fractured jaw and the loss of his right leg above the knee. Stateside, Randell received treatment at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Brooke Army Medical Center before transferring to Balboa Naval Hospital for the remainder of his rehabilitation.

Medically retired, Randell is a prosthetist at Balboa Naval Hospital, where he treats many fellow HFOT Veterans. He would like to further his education and pursue his Ph.D. in a related field. “I love what I do, helping people like me walk and be active again,” he says. In his free time, Randell enjoys spending time with his wife, Abreail, a Navy nurse, and his stepsons. His hobbies include off-roading with his jeep, camping, snowboarding, and working on cars.

A specially adapted custom HFOT home allows Randell to progress in his career without the challenges of living in a non-adapted home. In his former home, Randell had to hop into the shower, risking further injury.

When Randell moved to the United States at the age of nine, he settled in Southern California. He chose to remain in the state to be close to family, healthcare, and work.

Randell has seen the difference an HFOT home has made in the lives of his patients, enabling them to return to school, pursue careers, and start families. He is grateful to HFOT supporters for providing his fellow injured Veterans with this gift. “I want you all to know that you are making a difference and improving injured Veterans’ lives.”