When Joseph “Joe” Bowser enlisted in the U.S. Army, he never imagined his career would come in two parts. After an honorable discharge, the events of September 11, 2001 compelled him to re-enlist in the Army Reserves. He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“One night, I was coming out of the phone tent... at that moment I heard a high-pitched whistle.”

The sound Joe heard was a 122mm rocket that exploded right behind him. He was thrown into the air.

“Suddenly I’m lying on my back with an incredible pain in my leg, yelling for help.”

What happened next continues to amaze Joe to this day.

“Out of nowhere, two female medics rushed to my aide. I had my eyes closed because the debris was still falling out of the sky, so I never actually saw them. They cut off my weapon and my body armor, and had just taken scissors to cut off my uniform when we heard the next round coming in."

Without any regard for their own lives or safety, these two medics saved Joe's life. He was stabilized and sent to Walter Reed.

Joe underwent 14 painful operations in an effort to save his right leg. Eventually, his doctor gave him a choice. “He said I could salvage the leg, be in pain the rest of my life, and have a leg I couldn’t use—or I could have it amputated.”

In spite of his amputation, Joe continued to serve as Staff Assistant to the Secretary of the Army through 2021 where he advised the Secretary on wounded veteran issues.