The Sergeant Jason March Story

Jason March is from Sacramento, California. In 1997, he was studying to be a massage therapist. He also had desires to be a computer technician and the US Army was offering a great opportunity that would pay Jason to go to school and study computer technology. Jason joined the Army in November, 1997.

He was assigned to the “Big Red One” in Fort Riley, Kansas. In 2001, Jason spent 6 months assigned to Bosnia. Then 6 months in Kuwait City, followed by a tour at the Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma City, Arizona , and then Fort Hood, Texas.

December 8th, 2005, Jason arrived in Iraq at Camp FOB Rustamiya , 6 miles SE of Sadr City near Bagdad. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry, E-Company, 3-67 Armor as E-6 Staff Sergeant of the 21st Bravo Combat Engineers. He was directly in charge of 15 personnel and 4 Bradley fighting vehicles.

On August 27th, 2006, Sergeant March was assigned to lead a patrol of Bradleys to flush out snipers in the area in and around Fallujah. He was standing in the gun turret of a Bradley during the patrol. While on patrol, he was hit by a sniper’s bullet in the back of his head near his right ear. His last memories are of blood all around on his right side and his friend Troy Youngblood telling him that he was going to be fine.

Jason was very quickly airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, where he was stabilized for transport the USA. His next stop was Walter Reed for additional stabilization. When Jason woke-up his next memories are of Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) San Antonio, Texas where he arrived on August 30th, 2006.

Jason’s right side of his head, ear, jaw and brain received the direct impact of the wound. He is suffering from what is known as traumatic brain injury (TBI). A portion of his right skull cap was removed (and saved) to keep the swelling of the brain from building pressure against his skull. His equilibrium is not 100%, yet. Additional areas have also been affected by the wound. His left hand is paralyzed (due to the fact that the right side of his brain was injured), he is facing 4-5 oral surgeries, ear surgery and in March of 2007, if all goes well, his skull cap will be replaced.

The good news is that Jason is Jason. His memory of past events is intact, his personality, self-motivation, sense of humor and love of life and family are as strong as ever. He can walk with a cane. His left arm and hand are showing signs of motor control starting to return. His sequencing and deduction skills are also improving. Jason undergoes various daily treatments and rehab therapies. When he is not in treatment, his wife Sandra works with him in many ways to advance his recovery.

On November 11th, 2006, Veteran’s Day, Sergeant Jason March was chosen by his peers to represent the wounded troops at BAMC for the Texas Honor Ride. He stood for them and to receive the first check for over $63,000 from hundreds of motorcycle riders from the state of Texas who raised funds to assist the (then) Soldier and Family Assistance Center (WFSC). Over 800 people were in attendance. Since then, Jason and Sandra have attended each of the Texas Honor Rides to BAMC.

Please keep Jason and his family in your prayers.

UPDATE: 24 September, 2012:
We are so proud of Jason. His continuing courage is an inspiration.