Cpl Antonio Ortega

Julian, CA

 
On October 29, 2009, during his first combat deployment, Marine Corporal Antonio Ortega was serving as an Infantry Rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Nawa-I-Barakzai, Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). The blast resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee, burns on 25% of his body, scarring and skin grafts on his right arm and leg, and other injuries.

Airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, then transported stateside to Bethesda Naval Hospital, Tony underwent multiple surgeries and completed his rehabilitation at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2012.

Originally from California, Tony is choosing to remain in his home state to be close to his family.

Donate to this Veteran’s Project