Leslie Nicole Smith
A week after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Leslie volunteered to deploy as part of Operation Joint Forge to Bosnia. Tragedy struck when a blood clot caused by chemical exposure took her left leg and most of her vision.
Leslie After Chemical Exposure
Imminent Death Protocol With 24 Hours to Live
After 9/11, Leslie volunteered to deploy as part of Operation Joint Forge. Her duties as a public affairs officer involved interfacing with high-level officials, dignitaries, celebrities, and high-ranking military officers. Smith was less than a year into her deployment when she suddenly began to feel excruciating pain in her left leg.
“Smith pack your bags, you’re out of here tonight.”
After reviewing the ultrasound on her left leg, the Commanding General told her, “Smith, pack your bags. You’re out of here tonight.” That direct order ran counter to the warrior ethos ingrained in her from the moment she entered the Army—mission first, never quit. Leslie felt demoralized. She didn’t want to quit, didn’t want to be perceived as the “weak female.”
She wanted to complete the mission and do her job. Little did she know, her life was in jeopardy.
Given Hours To Live, She Prepared To Fight
Leslie was sent back to the United States for immediate evaluation at Walter Reed Medical Center. What the medical team discovered shocked them: a growing blood clot in Leslie’s leg had broken off into thousands more, spreading throughout her body to vital organs. “They initiated paperwork that gave me 24 hours to live,” she remembered, “I was dying.” Placed on imminent death protocol, doctors rushed to save her life. Her family was called to the hospital in what were assumed to be her final hours. But Leslie was prepared to fight.
Battling For Her Life, She Lost Her Leg
After enduring procedure after procedure to reduce the blood clots in her body, Leslie's left leg had to be amputated to save her life. While recovering at Walter Reed, Leslie instantly formed a bond with the other amputees, most whom had been injured in combat zones. Her hard-charging efforts and positive attitude throughout physical therapy sparked a friendly competition between them to forge ahead.
She Lost Her Eyesight
In addition to her amputation, Leslie now lives with near-total vision loss attributed to the lingering effects of the blood clots. The medical experts at Johns Hopkins believe the blood clots were caused by Leslie's exposure to chemical agents and gasses emitted from mass grave sites.
She Found Her New Calling
While at Walter Reed, Leslie began speaking with injured service members and their families to help them navigate their new normal. She had found her new calling. “I realized how healing and therapeutic it was, not only for them but for me,” she said. It was an epiphany. She found that helping her fellow service members and their families had become her purpose. And as more troops returned home with a range of injuries and amputations, her ability to help grew as well. Through her harrowing story, Leslie's positivity never wavered. “Everything has been worth it," she explained. "My experience put me at Walter Reed, where I can help the guys coming back.”
You Helped Us Build A Home Where Leslie Can Thrive
The Gary Sinise Foundation proudly built Leslie a home custom designed to her individual needs that will improve her independence and self-reliance. Thanks to your generous support, we were honored to hand over the iPad to Leslie on May 7, 2026.
We've built homes all across the nation for America's most severely wounded heroes. Every home is fully custom and 100% mortgage-free. Learn more about our custom homebuilding programs and support our efforts. Make a donation today.
