Juan joined the Marines on September 4th, 2007. He wanted to follow his family’s military tradition. His grandfather, uncles and father were all in the service. Juan’s father, also his hero, served in Vietnam in the Army and received a bronze star with Valor.

Juan graduated meritoriously as a Private First Class, and then went to the School of Infantry West. After completing SOI, he was sent to 3rd battalion 5th Marines. Shortly after arriving, they set off on The 31st MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) in January of 2009. Soon after returning from this deployment, Juan learned he would go to Afghanistan.

On 10/23/2010 in the Helmand Province of Sangin, Afghanistan, Juan led his squad (twenty-four Marines and a Navy Corpsman) to meet with another squad from his platoon to investigate a compound of interest. On route to the location, Juan stepped on a thirty pound pressure plate made of wood so that the IED could not be discovered by the metal detector. The blast launched Juan fifteen feet into the air which immediately severed both of his legs above the knees. He was medevaced to a field hospital where the remaining part of his right arm was amputated above the elbow. In addition, both of his ear drums were ruptured and Juan suffers from severe PTSD. He has had twenty-four surgeries to date.

Juan has received multiple awards including the Purple Heart Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with star.

Juan loves to play the drums. He once played for Roger Waters of Pink Floyd in front of 5700 people at Madison Square Garden. He currently lives in Temecula, CA with his lovely wife and daughter, Alexis and Victoria.

Your support of The Wounded Marine Fund will help CPL Juan Dominguez, USMC Ret. and other combat wounded Marine amputees regain their independence. Please learn more about our organization and ways to donate at TheWoundedMarineFund.com.