Sgt. Marshall Kennedy

Farmington, AR

Marine Sergeant Marshall Kennedy was on his fourth deployment when he lost both of his legs and suffered severe damage to his left arm after stepping on an IED in Sangin, Afghanistan on June 13, 2011. The Squad Leader on a routine clearance mission, Sgt. Kennedy and his team were informed by Afghan locals that a weapons cache was in a compound nearby. After calling for the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team (EOD), Sgt. Kennedy and his squad began checking another compound in the area. While keeping an eye on his Marines ahead and those behind him as well, Sgt. Kennedy “took a knee” (positioned himself to assess the situation) and while doing so, his left foot hit the pressure plate of an IED. Thrown through the air and into a nearby wall, Sgt. Kennedy remained conscious throughout the ordeal. His legs traumatically amputated, his Marines and the Corpsman worked to save his life. Transported by his team’s Mobile Section, Sgt. Kennedy was taken to a shock-trauma platoon at FOB Jackson in. Later flown to Camp Bastion, followed by Bagram Air Force Base, he was next airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany before arriving at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland 4 days post-injury. Sgt. Kennedy has endured more than thirty-five surgeries to date. He remains at WRNMMC at this time, his wife and sons by his side. Sgt. Kennedy enjoys hunting, shooting, and NASCAR. He especially loves spending time with his wife, Chelsie and their two young sons. Marshall and Chelsie would both like to complete their degrees at the University of Arkansas.