Captain James McDaniel of Fort Carson was awarded the Purple Heart for his traumatic brain injury incurred from a blast in Afghanistan. He displayed remarkable composure during the attack, later experiencing memory and vision challenges. His recovery journey led him to apply for the award, taking nearly a year.
Fort Carson’s commanding general honored Captain James McDaniel with a Purple Heart for his traumatic brain injury sustained in Afghanistan. This injury resulted from a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device explosion on July 9, 2012. Although initially disoriented, Capt. McDaniel managed to respond effectively by providing cover and assisting in the evacuation of his team, as stated in a news release.
Maj. Gen. David Doyle praised McDaniel’s bravery amid chaos, highlighting his remarkable composure during the attack. The general emphasized that McDaniel’s actions exemplify the commitment expected of soldiers, stating, “Every soldier should follow his example.” McDaniel, who was serving as a specialist at the time, continued to ensure the safety of his fellow soldiers and contributed to neutralizing the threat following the explosion.
Initially, Capt. McDaniel did not recognize the severity of his injury and was cleared to return to duty. However, a year later, he began experiencing issues with memory and vision, acknowledging that one of his eyes continues to struggle with focus. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, he has made significant progress, claiming to no longer require glasses. He compared recovering from a brain injury to healing from a broken arm, asserting, “You must mend it, and you must fix it.”
His difficult recovery journey motivated him to apply for the Purple Heart, a process that took nearly a year. “I am proof that endurance and survival is inherent in all of us,” said McDaniel, reflecting on his path to medical recognition.
In summary, Captain James McDaniel’s journey from sustaining an often-overlooked traumatic brain injury to receiving the Purple Heart underscores the importance of recognizing the invisible wounds of combat. His actions during the incident in Afghanistan exemplify the courage and dedication of soldiers in the face of adversity, while his subsequent recovery process highlights the significance of mental health care in military service.
Original Source: gazette.com
