Tuesday, October 9, 2018

For Those I Love, I Will Sacrifice- The Story of My Alive Day By: J.D. Williams

My name is SSG J.D. Williams (U.S. Army Ret.). I’ve had the privilege to fight in both the Iraq & Afghanistan wars as an Infantry soldier. I’ve met many great soldiers from all over the country, even some from other countries.  I took pride in my job and I trusted my brothers with my own life.  

My first tour in Iraq introduced me to death.  Almost every other day, we were seeing blood in the streets from the locals that had been taken by Taliban.  On one occasion, a car bomb detonated on a very busy street killing over 65 people and horribly wounding many more. I was 19 years old and felt like I was stuck in a war movie.  

By my second tour to Afghanistan, my life had changed in many ways. I had a wife now and a beautiful little girl back home.  I was in charge of a Scout Reconnaissance team, also known as the “Dream Team” This tour was much more psychological for me than the first because I had much more on the line.  We were attacked nearly everyday by the Taliban no matter if we were at our small compound or patrolling villages.  Over 80 firefights in the first 6 months there and my team never complained or backed down from a mission.  We simply grabbed our weapons and did what we were there to do. 


My Alive Day
On October 9th, 2010, I led a small 6 man recon team into a village that had a great deal of resistance. As we approached the village, I noticed 5 or 6 enemies close by about 50 meters away.  As I was raising my weapon, an IED detonated directly underneath me.  My whole life started flashing through my head and I could feel an ice-cold tingling sensation all over my body.  When I was able to maneuver myself to my back, I began checking myself for injuries.  I raised my left arm and noticed my fingertips were bloody. The Taliban began shooting at me. I tried to get up when I noticed my right arm was no longer there.  I pushed myself in the up-right position with my left arm so that I was sitting up.  My legs were gone as well.  I lay back down and started thinking about life.  Chaos going on all around me, I’m laid there thinking I may never see my family, friends, or Montana ever again. 

My brothers fighting along side me saved my life.  Risking their own lives, they quickly got me to safety and fought to get me a med-evac  in under 20 minutes, all while exchanging gunfire with the enemy.  Their selfless service is a daily reminder that God has greater plans for me.


Every year on October 9th, we celebrate.  We celebrate my Alive Day because I am alive and able to be here with my beautiful wife and daughter.  I also get to visit my home state of Montana often.  My injuries don’t hold me back and none of my brothers’ lives were lost that day.  I also celebrate because of the men and women who helped to get me where I am today- my brothers who risked their own lives to ensure I would keep mine, the many doctors and nurses who cared for me, and my family that constantly gives me a reason to keep going.

As soldiers, we faced the horrors of war and never backed down. That legacy lives on in my life beyond my time in the service.  I take pride in our country and the brave men and women who defend it.  I can honestly say that I would do it all again.  I can think of a hundred ways I could have died the day I stepped on that IED but I’m here and I’m extremely thankful for that.







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