Megan Leavey

Megan Leavey

Leavey in 2012
Born (1983-10-28) October 28, 1983
Valley Cottage, New York
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 2003–2007
Rank Corporal
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards

Megan Leavey (born October 28, 1983) is a US Marine corporal veteran who served as a Military Police K9 handler.

She grew up in Valley Cottage, New York. Leavey enlisted in the Marines in 2003 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, where she was paired with military working dog Rex (E168). The pair served two deployments in Iraq together. They were first deployed to Fallujah in 2005, and then to Ramadi in 2006, where they were both wounded by an improvised explosive device.[1] Leavey was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a "V" device for heroism in combat.

Leavey first sought to adopt Rex after the 2006 bomb blast. Later, when Rex developed facial palsy that ended his bomb-sniffing duties, Leavey petitioned the Marine Corps for his adoption.[2] They were reunited in April 2012 through the intervention of Senator Chuck Schumer.[3] Rex died on December 22, 2012.[4][5]

Leavey and Rex became the subject of the 2017 biopic Megan Leavey.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Pullman, Laura (10 March 2012). "'Rex is my partner, I love him': The marine blown up with her dog in Afghanistan now fighting to stop the Corps putting him down". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ Martinez, Luis (March 19, 2012). "Sgt. Rex and Ex-Marine Handler to Be Reunited". ABC News. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ Coffey, Wayne (May 12, 2012). "Iraq veteran Megan Leavey and her bomb-sniffing dog Rex set to be honored by the Yankees". Daily News. New York. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Beloved Bomb-Sniffing Dog Who Retired To Live With Marine Handler Dies". CBS New York. December 27, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Combat Dog Known as Sgt. Rex Dies, 8 Months After Being Reunited With Marine". NBC News. December 27, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  6. ↑ Lincoln, Ross A. (August 6, 2015). "Kate Mara Enlists In Biopic About Iraq War Hero Megan Leavey". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 2, 2017.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmKtAswq9Hs&feature=youtu.be

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.