SFC Thomas “Billy” Costello
Grover, NC
Inspired by his family’s legacy of military service, Billy Costello enlisted in the Army in 2002.
On September 20, 2011, Sergeant First Class Costello was serving as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 3435, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) during a dismounted reconnaissance patrol. He sustained an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg, severe damage to his left leg and right arm, bilateral hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
He was airlifted to Kandahar for life-saving treatment before transferring to Landstuhl, Germany. Stateside, Billy underwent additional surgeries and extensive therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Billy and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Wesley, Tyler, and Evelyn. Billy is an avid outdoors enthusiast with a passion for SCUBA diving, snowboarding, and caring for his farm. He is actively involved in organizations that support his community, Veterans, and outdoor recreation, including Hoke Enterprises Caring Team and the No Person Left Behind Outdoors SCUBA program, formerly known as Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge. He is also a proud alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
In his current two-story house, Billy is forced to navigate multiple levels of stairs on a daily basis. In a specially adapted custom HFOT home, he can easily and safely move from room to room in his wheelchair. “I am beyond excited to be in a single-level home,” he says. “Right now, there isn’t a day that I don’t have to battle stairs. There isn’t enough room to get around in a wheelchair, so if crutches aren’t close by, I have to hop around the house to do anything after taking my leg off for the night.”
Originally from Maryland, Billy is choosing to build his home in North Carolina to be close to family and friends.
Billy would like to thank HFOT donors and supporters for their generosity. “We’re beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I’m honored for my family to be considered for this tremendous blessing,” he says
Ver: 8-26
Sign Up for Updates:
Connect With Us: