Dana Bowman has astounded the nation and the world with his drive, determination, and will to succeed. He is a retired Sergeant First Class with the U.S. Army where he was a Special Forces Soldier and a member of the U.S. Army’s elite parachute team, the Golden Knights. Dana Bowman is a double amputee. He lost his legs in an accident during the annual Golden Knights training in Yuma, Arizona, in 1994.

On February 6,1994, Bowman gained worldwide attention when he and his teammate Sgt. Jose Aguillon collided in midair during the team’s annual training.

Aguillon died instantly. Bowman’s legs were severed from his body, one above the knee and one below the knee.

Nine months later, he turned this tragedy into a triumph when he became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the United States Army. This achievement is just one example of Bowman’s many successes under adverse circumstances. Dana has been fortunate to have the opportunity to let his speeches touch so many from the physically challenged to the able-bodied. He strives to show physically challenged people can still work and excel in today’s society and military. Dana emphasizes the words amputee and uselessness are not synonymous.

Dana has given more than 400 speeches in the last few years and has been featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest, People and many more. There have also been numerous television programs which focused on Dana and his story. Some of the programs include: Dateline, A Current Affair, Real TV, NBC Person of the Week, Day and Date and Extra.

Dana retired from the United States Army in 1996. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota in May of 2000.

Dana spends a great deal of his personal time working with other amputees and disabled or physically challenged people. As the founder and President of the HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation Dana continues his selfless work giving back to the brave men and women that have given so much of themselves for our country. Dana jumps the “HALO for Freedom Warrior Foundation” Logo in to the many events he addresses annually and tells his audiences about our group and our cause.

SGT Josh Douglas enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2004 out of Wichita, KS.  He started out in the Army Reserves from 2004 through 2008, during which time he was activated once for OEF and sent to Ft. Belvoir, VA and completed service at the Pentagon. He returned from Active Duty and then Activated a year later and deployed to Iraq in 2007 with the 325th Combat  Support Hospital in Al Anbar Provence, Iraq. His service ended in Iraq, and he left the Reserves for Active Duty. He completed time at two additional duty stations before he was Medically Retired at the rank of Sergeant out of Ft. Carson, CO February 2012 due to injuries sustained throughout his deployment and time in service. He served a few days short of 8 years honorably, before his retirement. He retired with 3 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals and other various awards/medals. SGT Douglas obtained his master’s degree in IT Security after his service in approximately 3 ½ years while working full time and caring for a child with cancer. His personal convictions and dedication helped to obtain optimal employment. He dealt with PTSD after there were less events in his life and things slowed down. After certain events, he decided to get involved in his community. He now volunteers for the Community Emergency Response Team, VFW Post 4746, other organizations for the Veteran community, a German Shepard Rescue, Weatherford ISD Band, Safe Haven of Tarrant County and is on the HALO advisory board.

Continuing a proud and multi-generational family tradition. Derek William Robbins enlisted in the US Navy in 2007.  As a member of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5.  Robbins served back to back deployments in Afghanistan (Security Convoy Element, Driver/M-19 Gunner, and Helmand Province) and later within the Horn of Africa.  During his final deployment, a severe and permanent injury to his left knee effectively ended his career and he was honorably discharged in 2013.  After a lengthy rehabilitation, Robbins pursued a career within the commercial HVAC industry and now works as a Project Manager. During his free time he enjoys collecting exotic firearms, learning their history, and volunteering with halo to honor his fellow veterans.

Former Air Force pilot. Commissioned through the ROTC program at North Texas State University. Attended pilot Training at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas. Served as an Instructor pilot at the Air Force Academy flying T-41 aircraft and at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas flying T-37 aircraft. Completed F-4E training at George AFB in Victorville, California. Assigned to the 337th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Fourth Tactical Fighter Wing flying F-4Es out of Seymour-Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Participated in Red Flag, Maple Flag, and Ocean Venture exercises. Assigned to Detachment 19 in Spain. Flew functional check flights on European RF4C, F4E, and F4G aircraft, while serving as the Government Flight Representative for flight operations at Getaffe, Spain and Brendisi, Italy. Separated from the service and went work at Lockheed as a maintainability and reliability engineer, for mechanical systems on F-16 and F-35 aircraft. While at Lockheed joined the Army National Guard serving with the 49th Armored division. Retired from the National Guard in 1998 and from Lockheed in 2013.