1. OTHER SERVICES VOICES:
2. MARINES
3. 
4. NAVY
5. 
6. AIR FORCE
7. 
8. ARMY
9. 
10. COAST GUARD

BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?

I attended boot camp at MCRD Parris Island right after High School graduation from June until Sept 2005. I chose to be in the infantry (0311), and after SOI (School of Infantry) I was stationed at Camp LeJeune with 2/8, Weapons Company.

DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?

Yes.  Due to my injury I don't remember everything from my 4 months in Iraq, but I am told I participated in over 80 combat patrols, numerous firefights, ambushes and mortar attacks.

EDITOR'S NOTE: On Oct. 30, 2006, LCpl. Colin Smith was assigned as  a machine gunner in his vehicle’s turret when he took a single round through his skull just as his unit was leaving a rural settlement on the western edge of Karma, a city near Fallujah, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

On the day it happened, his fellow Marines had been searching several houses along a canal, where they found a few AK assault rifles and components for making improvised explosive devices -- better known as IEDs. As they were were getting back into their vehicles to convoy out, they all heard a single loud crack.

No one knew where it came from, but they knew precisely where it hit. It struck a Marine who was peering out of the first vehicle’s gun turret, LCpl Smith. 

The first member of his unit to reach his side was the unit's Navy Corpsman, PO3 Dustin ''Doc'' Kirby. Kirby held him in his arms and bandaged his head while administering basic life support to stabilize him for the ride out. The sailor helped load the wounded Marine into a helicopter, which had touched down beside the convoy within 12 minutes of the shooting.

Once LCpl Smith was safely aboard the helicopter and on his way to a field hospital, the unit continued its mission of seeking out insurgents. An exasperated Doc Kirby offered his observations to a New York Times reporter embedded with the unit as to Smith's field prognosis: “The best news I can throw at anybody right now...that his eyes were OK,” he said. “They were both responsive. And he was breathing. And he had a pulse.” (A New York Times article on this incident is also available at this link.

Smith was Kirby's roommate at Camp Lejeune before they deployed to Iraq.

When the Marines returned to their outpost, they we told by their Company Commander that Smith was alive and stable, and receiving primary treatment at an evacuation hospital. He would later be flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for further treatment and assessment. Upon hearing this news, his buddies gathered in prayer to ask the Lord to look after Smith, and whatever lay ahead for him and their platoon.

Smith was then transferred from Landstuhl to Bethesda's Naval Medical Center where he underwent further recovery and occupational therapy. As his injuries were severe, he underwent surgery to replace a portion of his skull damaged by the bullet.

Doctors mentioned there is no medical explanation for the extraordinary level of recovery Smith has been able to achieve so far. "It's nothing short of a miracle," mentioned one of his attending physicians. Although his original diagnosis was very bleak, the Marine was not expected to make it, and if he did a limited recovery was expected. But he has surpassed all expectations and LCpl Smith continues his therapy twice a week.

On Christmas Day, 2006, the Corpsman who first attended to LCpl Smith, HM3 "Doc" Kirby, was himself severely wounded by an enemy sniper, he was struck in the left side of his face whilst on the roof of Outpost Omar, in the City of Karma, Anbar Province, Iraq. A New York Time article reporting this incident can be viewed at this link.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?

I am blessed to be able to remember all of my brothers in 2/8. The clearest memory that I carry is that of my fallen Marine Brother, LCpl. James ("JD") Hirlston.
EDITOR'S NOTE: LCpl Hirlston was killed in action, Aug 2006, may he rest in peace!

WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?

All of my Brothers are dear to me, but Sgt Chase Ford stands out the most in my mind for the calming and steadying effect his leadership and brotherhood gave to me.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I am unable to work and am medically retired. I do try to stay active with my fellow wounded vets, do volunteer work and I am in my third year of continuous rehab in speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: According to his father, Bob Smith - a Desert Storm Army veteran - he is most proud of the fact that his son has worked so hard to recover to a point where he can once again be a productive member of his community.  "He's able to support his fellow veterans and wounded warriors through various outreach events," he said. "And (Colin) does all that he can. He's not showing any pity for himself, he's just doing his best at getting, and staying, involved."

While in therapy sessions, Smith, a southpaw, learned to write his name again; and as he gained strength he would thumb-wrestle with visitors and doctors, according to relatives. According to his father, who is the "voice" of his son, he is able to walk again, but still can't really speak or write.  He's able to read a few words, but he's still in therapy for those functions and is slowly improving. Medical professionals say Smith's condition likely means that the speech portion of his brain has been damaged. If he is moving the left side of his body, it most likely means the opposite side of the brain was injured, much like paralysis suffered by stroke victims.

Smith is active in support initiatives for fellow wounded warriors. He attends various functions whenever he can, and makes home visits to other wounded veterans.

HOW HAS SERVING THE ARMED FORCES INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?

My service, and the wound I received, have completely altered my life. But, I also learned never to quit and I am still proud of my service. I would join again even knowing what was going to happen.

HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?

TWS has allowed me to reconnect with many of those with whom I served and helped me to meet many others who have become new friends and Brothers. They have all stood by me and helped me to continue my recovery and inspired me to push ever farther.

EDITOR'S NOTE: According to his father, Smith is amazed at the connections he's made through the site.  He recently attended get-togethers at other TWS members homes, and he regularly uses TWS to stay connected to his fellow Marines.