Meet Joseph

My world exploded and my life changed.

I deployed to Camp Liberty, Iraq in July 2006. Once there, I assumed the leadership role of commanding 2nd Platoon, B Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. We conducted Route Clearance missions in and around Baghdad. When a route was closed, they called us to open it. Route Clearance is clearing the roads of Improvised Explosive Devices, and the 5th EN BN is back in Iraq clearing the roads for a repeat appearance. Our last mission was October 6th, 2006.

That day was much like the others; clear, sunny, warm, and with a smattering of light hearted teasing of each other to break the tension before we headed out on our last mission. As we neared the end of our mission, I found an IED, or it found me. My world exploded and my life changed.

I was EVACed to Balad, and began to find out the extent of my wounds. When I first woke up, I did what every soldier does after going through something like that, I checked for damage. The medics helped me out by letting me know I had some facial fractures, my nose was broken and I was going to lose my right eye. Didn’t sound too bad. I even tried to sit up when LTC Michael McGuire (BN CDR), CSM Kevin Curtis (BN CSM), CPT Matthew Keith (CO CDR) and SFC Richard Villa (my PSG and right hand man) came to visit. I was ready to go back to work. I couldn’t see, but that was just because both eyes were covered. I still didn’t grasp the amount of facial and forehead damage that I had. But I was assured that NONE of my guys were wounded, and that our platoon goal to bring everyone home alive would succeed. I even tried to break the news gently to my wife over the phone. But I had lost all track of time and she already knew the extent of most of my wounds.

After a short little stopover in Landshtul, Germany, it was off to sunny Walter Reed, where we learned that the left eye wasn’t doing all that well and my cheeks, nose and forehead were described in fancy medical terms: pulverized, cornflakes, and beanbag. Great care and great people at Walter Reed Army Medical Center allowed me to regain eyesight in my remaining eye. But most of all, my lovely wife Christine was there every morning when I was an inpatient, and with me every step of the way during my recovery as an outpatient. Without her keeping me in line, and helping me laugh at myself (like the time I got lost in the bathroom at the Malogne House), things would have been really rough. It was at Walter Reed that I first met Cindy McGrew and learned of what a great organization Operation Second Chance is. With people like that in your corner, there is nothing you cannot overcome. Thank you Cindy and OSC, you are all truly Angels on Earth.

I am back to work with the Fightin’ Fifth Engineer Battalion of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and get some funny looks walking around with my little guide dog, Gillian. I guess people just have never seen a blind Captain before. At least I can keep from getting lost! I help coach my son’s soccer team, and continue to enjoy the good things in life: God, family, friends, and a good cold beer. I am still a soldier serving this great Country. I am ready to go back to Iraq, whenever the Army sends me.

Less than two years after being wounded, CPT Bogart deployed with his unit once again to Iraq, and is serving in HHC 5th Engineer Battalion in Iraq.

Update:

Since I departed Walter Reed, I successfully completed my COAD. Then I deployed a 2nd time to Iraq, while still visially impaired with the same unit I was with when I was wounded. I graduated the Engineer Captain's Career Course and am currently finishing up as a Company Commander of a Combat Engineer & Bridge Crewmember One Station Unit Training Company at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I have ran in a total of 4 Army Ten Miler's (one in Iraq) 2 Marine Corps Volkslaufs, completed a Non-Standard Triathlon, and last November ran my first 1/2 Marathon. I am an avid hunter, and enjoy coaching my son's soccer team.