SSGT JOHN JONES Fort Collins, CO Mission Accomplished on July 18, 2009 On Jan. 3, 2005, Marine Staff Sergeant John P. Jones was serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines when he was severely injured. John was in the seventh vehicle of a 35-vehicle convoy when it hit a double-stacked anti-tank mine. The mine that exploded under his HMMWV launched him 25 feet through the top of the vehicle. John was previously living in a rented house…
SGT James Klingensmith Orlando, FL MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ON JANUARY 13, 2024 James S. Klingensmith Jr. joined his high school ROTC program as a freshman with the intention of following the footsteps of his father. When the 9/11 attacks occurred, his decision to serve in the Army became finalized. On August 13, 2009, Sergeant Klingensmith was on his third deployment serving as the senior squad leader for Charlie Company, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad, 3-61 Cav, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry…
…his mom is of waking up in Bethesda Naval Medical Center almost three weeks after the blast. Complications due to lung infections and pneumonia caused by nearly drowning face down in the water at the injury site would necessitate he be placed on a ventilator during that time. Since moving into his home, Justin has gotten married to his wife, Casey. They became parents to a baby girl in January 2016. He says the home gives him independence and “the…
SGT Mario Lopez New Braunfels, TX Mission Accomplished on June 5, 2020 Mario Lopez was in high school when he watched the twin towers fall during the September 11th terrorist attacks. Angered by the horrific events, Mario felt compelled to serve, thinking: “If I don’t do it, who will?” Mario enlisted shortly after graduating in 2003, joining the 68th Engineer Company as a truck driver. He first deployed to Iraq in 2005 and again to Afghanistan in 2008. On Aug….
…that both of his legs were gone. Lifesaving measures by his comrades helped to stabilize him for a medical evacuation by helicopter. Airlifted to Camp Bastion, Cpl Romo was treated for his injuries before being flown to Landstuhl, Germany where he remained for a week. Arriving stateside, Cpl Romo spent six weeks at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, M.d., before transferring to Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego where he received treatments and therapies for nearly two…
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