Justin Hendrickson

U.S. Navy

Pittsburg, Pennslyvania

HM3 (FMF) (Ret.) Justin Hendrickson grew up north of Pittsburgh in Freedom, PA. From a young age, he enjoyed being active and playing sports. One of his favorite pastimes was and still is being out in the woods hunting with his father and fishing. Always one for a challenge and adventure, Justin decided to join the military to explore the world past the small community he was raised in. 

In 2001, a few months before 9/11, he enlisted in the Navy and after extensive training, became a Hospital Corpsman. Justin was mostly attached to the Fleet Marine force as a grunt Doc. He spent a year and a half completing various schooling/training and assignments from Okinawa to the Far East. In 2004, he was deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 6th Marines, as Bravo Company 1st Platoon’s Corpsman. In 2005, he was deployed to Iraq to relieve one of the Marine Rifle Companies shortly after the Battle of Fallujah; one of the worst battles of the war on terror.

While riding in a HUMVEE, Justin’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The shrapnel and blast wounded all four passengers, and mortally wounded the driver. Justin’s wounds caused him to ultimately lose his right leg. The blast also left him with neuralgia, PTSD, scarring, mild traumatic brain injury, decreased range of motion in his neck, reoccurring skin breakdown on his remaining residual limb, and shrapnel throughout many parts of his body.

After retiring from the military, Justin wanted to continue working in the medical field and has earned his Bachelors of Nursing and is currently preparing to graduate with his Master’s Degree is Nursing Education and Leadership. Justin’s wife, Jennie, wants to watch all of his dreams come true with his second chance at life and also to be sure Justin has the most fulfilling life with him by her side always.