Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class David Mathis is a proud native of Johnston, South Carolina, and has served in both the United States Marine Corps and Army. Raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, David enlisted as a military police officer in the Marine Corps just a month after graduating high school. After four years of service, he transitioned to civilian life, spending nine years as a juvenile corrections officer in Pahokee, Florida.

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In April 2001, David reentered military service, this time enlisting in the Army as a mechanic. During an Iraq deployment in October 2017 with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, his vehicle was struck by an IED. The blast tragically claimed the life of the driver Army Spc. Alexander W. Missildine; David lost both of his legs.  

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Following the injury, David underwent extensive medical treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, he achieved the remarkable feat of running PT with his unit at Fort Polk just 18 months later, on prosthetic legs. He was medically retired in 2019.

 

David has been married to his wife Angela for 24 years, and they have two children, a daughter and a son. He is now self-employed, working part-time as a mechanic. His story is a testament to courage, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to service.