U.S. Army Specialist Michael Villagran joined the military because he wanted to serve his country and gain a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that comes with service.

In 2012, Specialist Villagran and his team were setting up an operation post in an abandoned building in Afghanistan. While conducting a search on the roof, he stepped on a bomb located inside one of the rooms. He was urgently transported to multiple hospitals before arriving in Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

He underwent two surgeries to try to save his right limb. After complications arose more than a year later, he received another surgery at a VA hospital in Houston, TX. After four years of multiple surgeries since the incident in Afghanistan, doctors told Specialist Villagran there was nothing else they could do to save his limb.  In June of 2016, his right limb was amputated below the knee.

In addition to his amputation, Specialist Villagran also suffers from PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, a lower back strain and a left knee strain.

For his service to our country, Specialist Villagran has been awarded the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.