Jose Pequeno
While on patrol in Iraq, Pequeno’s unit was attacked by insurgents who threw a live grenade inside his Humvee, instantly killing the driver and leaving Pequeno barely clinging to life.
Jose Pequeno After Being Shot
His Rescuers Thought He Was Already Dead
Jose was on a routine patrol through the streets of Ramadi, Iraq when things took a violent and deadly turn. An insurgent spotted the opening in the turret of Jose’s Humvee roof and threw a grenade inside, detonating on impact. The blast killed the driver of the Humvee and left Jose so bloody and mangled that soldiers who rescued him feared he was already dead. When the military contacted Jose’s mother, they decided the family would not be flown overseas because Jose was not expected to survive.
A Man of Service, Honor, and Sacrifice
At the time of his deployment, Jose was 31 years old with three beautiful children ages 10, 8, and 7. He had already served our country with honor a decade earlier by joining the USMC out of high school before returning home and joining the police force. Quickly rising through the ranks, Jose became his town’s youngest police chief at just 29. Still feeling the call to do more, Jose joined the Army National Guard and volunteered to deploy in place of a young soldier who was finishing up college.
One of America’s Most Severely Wounded Heroes
Tragically, Jose will never live independently again. He has endured 34 surgeries and is not able to speak or walk due to injuries from the grenade blast. Jose has lost 51% of his brain, mainly on his right side. He communicates with eye movements, facial gestures, and some sounds. He is considered one of the most severely wounded American servicemen to return home from either of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His Family Keeps the Faith
Jose’s survival can be classified as nothing less than a miracle. Twenty years after the devastating blast that changed Jose’s life forever, his mother, sister, and family keep the same faith and hope they had when they finally were able to see him at the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
Today he lives with his mom and caregiver team in Tampa, FL where we are honored to begin building a home expressly designed for his unique daily routine.
You Can Help Build Jose a Home
With your support, we will build Jose and his family a safer, more accessible home—one that allows his mother and care team to more easily provide for his needs and safely move him from room to room. Together, we can fulfill our promise that his courage, honor, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
