Air Force Pararescueman Continues On Despite Loss of Leg

By Tactical-Life

The following is a release from Jeremy Gerlach, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs:

In July 2011, Staff Sgt. August O’Neill, a pararescueman, was sent to rescue a group of Marines pinned down in Afghanistan when enemy insurgents opened fire on his team’s helicopter.

A round bounced off the helicopter’s door, tearing through both of O’Neill’s lower legs and critically wounding his left. Over the next three-and-a-half years, doctors performed 20 surgeries as they tried to save the limb.

• RELATED STORY: Duo Receives Airman’s Medal After Rescuing 3 From Helicopter Crash

O’Neill finally told doctors to remove his left leg last year, but he remains determined to continue his career as a pararescueman.

“I haven’t looked back since,” said O’Neill, who’s training with the 342nd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, as he prepares to requalify for assignment to a pararescue team.

“I knew I wasn’t done doing this job,” he added.

Pararescue isn’t an easy job for any Airman, let alone one who’s had their leg amputated just above the knee. But O’Neill believes he’s still up to the task.

“There are going to be issues that come up here and there,” he said. “But I’m sure I’ll make it back on a …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life