Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming personal tragedy, inspiring others

by Senior Airman Joshua Stevens  28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

3/5/2008 (Updated 7/16/2009 ) - ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Upon seeing him, one would never suspect a difference between him and any other uniformed servicemember.

He stands tall, exhibiting a more-than-personable attitude and fervor for military professionalism.

However, there is more to this Airman than anyone would immediately suspect. 
 
In May 2007, Master Sgt. Ronald Heller, 28th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight superintendent, lost the lower half of one leg due to cardiovascular blood complications, but gained a renewed vigor for his outlook on life.

Master Sgt. Ronald Heller, 28th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight superintendent, stretches with his coworkers during a group physical training session at the Pride Hanger March 20.

The Problem Arises

During a deployment to Guam in the first half of 2006, Sergeant Heller began to notice he was having odd sensations in his foot.

Amputee gets commission through Army ROTC

BY By Paul Kotakis, Cadet Command Public Affairs Officer

FORT MONROE, Va. (Dec. 22, 2008) -- The blast of a roadside bomb in Iraq's Sunni Triangle resulted in the amputation of a portion of Richard Ingram's left arm. But it did not rob him of his dream of becoming an officer in America's Army.

Ingram's dream became a reality Dec. 13 when he graduated from North Georgia College & State University and took the oath of office as a lieutenant.

He is the first individual with such severe combat injuries sustained during the Global War on Terrorism to earn a commission through the Army ROTC program.

Richard T. Ingram (right) takes the oath of office as a second lieutenant during ceremonies conducted at North Georgia College & State University on Dec. 13. Administering the oath is 1st Lt. Robert Morris, a 2005 graduate of North Georgia. Photo by Kate Maine, North Georgia College & State University

The LaGrange, Ga. native was serving with the 48th Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard as a cavalry scout when his tactical vehicle was struck by an explosive device and rolled several times.

In speaking of that June 2005 experience Ingram said, "I didn't think there was any way I was going to live through it when the truck started rolling.