Liam Nevins enlisted prior to graduation from high school in 2000. Earning his Ranger Tab at age 20, he served as a rifle team leader with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division during his first deployment to Afghanistan; and completed two more deployments as a Sniper Team leader In Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving Active Duty in 2006, this Vermont-born, battle-worn veteran looked forward to a life of adventure, mountain climbing, and snowboarding in Colorado. But the military was his passion, so in 2009 he enlisted in the Colorado Army National Guard as a member of Company B, 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

During his fourth combat mission in Afghanistan, this highly decorated Green Beret was seriously injured while drawing fire away from a group pinned down by PKM fire. With a bullet wound to his left hand and a large piece of his shoulder missing, he refused painkillers and climbed a ladder up the compound wall to watch his commandos during their final assault, expressing his disappointment that he couldn’t do more for his brothers.

Though he was whisked off to Bagram for treatment, with a sure ticket stateside, his teammates weren’t surprised when he returned to complete his mission—despite doctor’s orders. Due to the healing power of hardheadedness, he was soon shooting on the range and climbing the rope in the gym without using his feet. All he wanted was one more mission before returning home in six weeks.