Our Heroes

Corporal Donny Daughenbaugh, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), National Spokesman

On October 12, 2004, in Mahmoudiya, a city south of Baghdad, Donny Daughenbaugh was on a night foot patrol when a vehicle sped past his unit, screeched to a stop and opened fire on them with an AK-47. Donny was shot in the face by the attackers. The bullet barreled through his left cheekbone and lodged between the base of his skull and his top vertebra, fracturing his jawbone and just missing his vital nerves and brain by millimeters. A metal plate was placed to repair his jaw and the bullet was left in place because it was too close to his brain to remove.

Donny was sent to Germany for surgery where he remained until he was well enough to return home.

He joined CSAH as a National Spokesman, and his involvement with CSAH has not only helped with his own recovery, but as a spokesperson, Daughenbaugh has been able to inspire others through his story of resilience and the overall, positive effects family can have on one's recovery.

Donny now lives in Bondurant, IA with his wife Sarah and their 3 year old daughter.