Troy Simmonds: Afghanistan

During the Battle of Khaz Oruzgan in 2008, Sergeant Troy Simmonds survived multiple incidents that could have easily killed him – a ricocheting bullet that lodged in his hip missed major organs; his rifle was struck by a bullet near his head; and a rocket propelled grenade landed near him, blowing him and two others off their feet and peppering them with shrapnel.

He was dragged under a vehicle while trying to avoid small arms fire and evacuated the valley hiding behind a vehicle’s bull bar. Although wounded multiple times in the battle, Simmonds was fortunate not to be more seriously wounded or killed.