After deployments to Bayji and Baghdad, Iraq Staff Sergeant Jason G. Searles was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in May 2011.

On August 13, 2011, he was leading his squad on a foot patrol to clear paths of IEDs when he stepped on a land mine in the Argandab River Valley. Jason’s right let was amputated below the knee at the time of the explosion. He sustained many other injuries to his lower left leg, bicep, and two fingers on his left hand. Over the next two months he would endure at least 15 surgeries to clean his wounds, skin grafts on his fingers and leg, and a procedure to revile his amputation. Later he would have to part with half of his middle finger due to infection in the bone. He received his first prosthetic soon after being discharged from the hospital and walked independently for the first time exactly two months after sustaining his injuries. He is now in the Warrior Transition Unit completing the medical board process and hopes to return to active duty until he is eligible for retirement.

September 24-25, 2012 Jason was invited to play at the Annual George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Warrior Open Golf Tournament in Dallas. Texas. There were 22 wounded warriors competing. Jason placed 13^th in the overall competition. Meeting the President and playing golf with him as the highlight of his weekend. Jason is the grandson of Joan Searles, Clerk of PAHS.