| Bob Wieland | |
|---|---|
| Born | Greenfield, Wisconsin |
| Education | University of Wisconsin California State University, Los Angeles |
| Known for | Completing marathons with no legs or wheelchair |
Bob Wieland is a Vietnam War veteran who lost his legs to a mortar mine in 1969. After recovering from his injuries he was inspired to become a marathon participant. Over his lifetime he has finished many marathons, often taking multiple days to finish. He is the only double amputee to finish the difficult Kona, Hawaii Ironman race without a wheelchair. He "ran" across America on his hands, taking three years, eight months, and six days to travel from coast to coast.[1]
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Growing up in Wisconsin, Bob went to the University of Wisconsin. A talented baseball player, he was negotiating a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies when he decided to join the army as a combat medic.[2]
In Vietnam in June 1969, his squad walked into a mine field. When a member of his unit stepped on a booby-trapped mortar, Wieland rushed to give first aid but he, too, stepped on a 82mm buried mortar, a round designed to destroy tanks, which severely damaged his legs; they had to be amputated above the knee. In a letter to his parents after his accident, he wrote:
| “ | June 14, 1969
Dear Mom and Dad. I'm in the hospital. Everything is going to be O.K. The people here are taking good care of me. Love, Bob. P.S. I think I lost my legs.[1] |
” |
Bob likes to say of that day, "My legs went one direction, my life another."[1]
After recovering from his injuries, he enrolled at California State University, Los Angeles majoring in education. After university, he joined the Green Bay Packers as a physical trainer.[2]
In November 1986 he completed the New York City Marathon, taking four days to complete the 26 miles (42 km) race.[3] He "ran" across America on his hands, taking three years, eight months, and six days to travel from coast to coast and raise money for Vietnam war veterans.[4] In 1988 at 41, he finished the Los Angeles Marathon, taking 74.5 hours to finish the 26.2 miles (42.2 km) race. He started the race a day earlier than everyone else and finished two days after the last runner had crossed the finish line.[5]
In the 1988-1990 TV series Sonny Spoon, Wieland played the character of Johnny Skates.