CPL. Victor Rojas - Age 20

I am assigned to the 3625th Maintenance Co. which deployed with the 13th Corps Support Command.

November 16, 2004 - I was part of a convoy heading to Camp Spiker, Iraq. My Humvee was hit by two RPG's (rocket propelled grenade), one on each side of the Humvee. I was hit and I knew I was hit badly, but as the driver, I also knew that I had to get the soldiers with me out of the immediate area, so I began driving.  Our vehicle was hit by another round of RPG's. I was losing a lot of blood from the wound in my leg. I drove to the helicopter site and the medics pulled me out of the Humvee and tried to stop the bleeding, but the main artery in my leg was severely cut and I was losing a lot of blood. I do not remember too much after that, but they told me that I died from lack of oxygen to my brain.

I was transported to the hospital and I saw my 1st Sgt., Platoon Sgt. and Commanding Sgt. Mgr. I slipped into a coma from the lack of oxygen and remained that way for approximately one month. When I came out of the coma I could not talk or get out of bed. I stayed this way for two weeks. On Christmas Eve I said my first word, which was NO. My dad was the only one in the room at the time. Slowly I began talking more each day and eventually I was able to get out of bed with the aid of a wheelchair.

I have a plate in my knee held together with 12 screws. I can only bend my knee at a 90 degree angle and am currently using crutches to walk. I was transported from WRAMC to the TBI unit in Minneapolis, Minnesota .

I want to thank everyone for all the prayers they said for me. I know the prayers are what got me through the toughest days.

During my stay at WRAMC, I was able to be sworn in as a US citizen. I am very proud to have served my adopted country and want to thank everyone for their support of the soldiers in Iraq.