SPC. Bryant Jacobs – Age 24

I was just south of the Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq, doing route clearance. We were just finishing up our mission and heading into Kirkuk when we were hit by an IED. Myself and another soldier were both blown out of our non-up armored truck. The other soldier died from the injuries he sustained. I was air-lifted into the Kirkuk Air Base. From there I went to Kuwait, then Germany and finally ended up at WRAMC, where I am currently recovering.

I lost my large intestine, lost some of my left calf, which caused damage to my foot. Now I suffer from what is called ‘drop foot’ from the loss of nerves. Part of my left index finger was also amputated. My femur on my right leg was broken right above where the knee bends. They had to put a rod and screws in my leg. There was also a lot of my right inner thigh that was blown off. So, I have a lot of nerve damage in my right leg as well.

I was in B Co. 65th Eng BN 25th IN (L). We had been in Iraq for 11 months and were almost ready to come home when it happened. I just think of it as I got to come home early…

Below is a recent picture of my family after they participated in a half marathon in my honor.