SSG. Joe Beimfohr

Sergeant Beimfohr was assigned to 2nd Battalion 34th Armor Regiment from FT. Riley, Kansas as a section leader in August 2004. The unit was on standby for a possible deployment to Iraq. Most of his time was spent preparing and training his soldiers for wartime missions.

The unit deployed in January 2005. While in Iraq Sergeant Beimfohr conducted numerous missions from providing convoy escorts and security, as well as conducted offensive operations such as searches and the apprehension of terrorists.

On July 5, 2005 Sergeant Beimfohr's platoon conducted a search of a village looking for suspected terrorists who were known to be operating in the area. After the search was concluded the convoy started to make their move back to basecamp when the platoon leader spotted copper wire running across the road. Immediately the platoon stopped and took a defensive formation. Sergeant Beimfohr dismounted his vehicle and led a team out to investigate. They found the wire that lead to the road and cut it disabiling the enemy from detonating an IED on the convoy still on the road.

Sergeant Beimfohr then led the team in the direction of the wires point of origin. Unknown to Sergeant Beimfohr and the rest of his platoon, a group of terrorists were watching Sergeant Beimfohr's Team move towards their position. When the team closed in on their position the terrorists detonated an IED on the team. One member of the team, SPC Christopher Dickinson, was killed instantly. Sergeant Beimfohr was the second member of the team and was severly wounded by the blast. Sergeant Beimfohr was medevaced to a field hospital where upon arrival was sedated. He woke up eight days later at Walter Reed Army Hospital where he has been since his injury.

Sergeant Beimfohr suffered many injuries that resulted in a double amputation of his legs, a fractured pelvis, right hand fracture and abdominal injuries.

Amputee GI Won't Let Wounds Stop Him
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Click here to read the full story and watch the video, published by CBS News, The Early Show.

Valley Soldier Injured in Iraq Now Back Home
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