Casey Owens
| Casey Owens | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Superstud[1] |
| Born |
c. 1981 Houston, Texas, United States[1] |
| Died |
October 15, 2014 Aspen, Colorado, United States |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2002–2004 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards |
Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Corporal Casey Owens USMC (Ret.) (born c. 1981 in Houston, Texas; died October 15, 2014 in Aspen, Colorado) was a United States Marine, Iraq War veteran, and paralympic athlete from Houston, Texas, United States, famed for his feats of completing marathons in a wheelchair after his legs were amputated for injuries received while on a rescue mission during the Iraq War.[1][2][3]
Injury and Accomplishments
Corporal Owens deployed for a second tour in Al Anbar Province Iraq August 2004. On Sept. 20, 2004, while responding to a wounded Marine, his vehicle struck two anti-tank mines which resulted in severe injuries to his legs. After being airlifted to and stabilized at a Field Hospital, Owens was transferred to Landstuhl, Germany. Tragically, his injuries resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee. Corporal Owens eventually returned to the United States to undergo extensive multiple surgeries and rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to losing both legs, his injuries included a broken jaw and collarbone, shrapnel wounds, collapsed lungs, blood clots in the lungs.
The muscle and skin flaps on his amputation stumps failed to close properly and resulted in nonhealing wounds. Corporal Owens said he subsequently underwent repeated amputations which further reduced the size of his stumps while a patient at VA and military hospitals. Through the help of several charitable organizations and private pay from his own pocket, Owens received hyperberic oxygen therapy treatment in New Orleans, Louisiana by Dr. Paul Harch MD.[4] Owens later testified before the United States Congress in hearings regarding the poor quality of care and "bureaucratic maze" that military personnel must navigate in order to receive medical care from the VA.[5]
After a return to college which proved unsuccessful due to Traumatic Brain Injury, Corporal Owens became an accomplished paralympian skier and marathon runner in the paralympic games.[6][7]
Death
Corporal Owens struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and alcohol dependence despite his many accomplishments. In 2010, he was convicted of drunk driving and began the arduous journey on the road to recovery. During a 2012 interview with CBS News' National Security Correspondent David Martin, Owens remarked "I really don't think I'll ever be free. I don't think the burden of war is ever gone."[8]
On October 16, 2014, Corporal Owens died by suicide as a result of his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Friends, family, and the general public honored his memory with an "appreciation party" in Aspen, Colorado on October 18, 2014.[9]
Those of us who knew Casey, and were lucky enough to ski with him, will always be in awe of his strength, courage, and love of speed. Casey was angry because he had been a very good Marine, and could no longer do that job. He was a very very fast skier, and the mountain is a little smaller now that he is gone. I think it was the headaches that finally got him, he could not find any long term relief from the torturous headaches. We will miss CPL Casey Owens, USMC.
Interment of his remains with full military honors is scheduled for MON MAR 23, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery.
References
- 1 2 3 Casey breezes through USMC marathon, November 2, 2005, Lone Star Times, access date 02/04/08 Archived March 17, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ KRT Photos, November 3, 2004
- ↑ Marine Enjoys a Triumphant Day, October 31, 2005, The Washington Post, by Kathy Orton, access date 02/04/08
- ↑ , CBS News, August 3, 2009 access date 10/16/14
- ↑ Congressional Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Examine Care of Seriously Wounded Veterans, Veterans for Common Sense, May 17, 2008 access date 02/04/08 Archived March 18, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ ,Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes, July,2009, access date 10/16/2014
- ↑ Warriors on the snow, The Aspen Times, February 24, 2007, by Charles Agar, access date 02/04/08
- ↑ "For some vets, the Iraq war will never end". CBS News. July 10, 2012. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
- ↑ "Casey Owens ‘appreciation party’ is Saturday". The Aspen Times. October 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-16.