Published: March 27, 2008 10:11 am         

President praises amputee back in combat

PRYOR, Okla. — A wounded Marine’s determination to get back to the front lines caught the attention of the president.

In a March 19 speech to the Pentagon, President George Bush praised Marine Gunnery Sergeant William “Spanky” Gibson, a 1989 Pryor High School graduate.

Gibson’s leg was amputated after he was shot while pulling an Iraqi soldier out of harm’s way in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006.

When he was wounded and lost his leg, his parents, Gene and Mary Gibson, said they knew he wouldn’t stay down for long. Gipson wanted to go back to Iraq, something a full-leg amputee had never done.

He underwent difficult rehabilitation, but was soon running triathlons and participating in the “Escape From Alcatraz” swim.

Bush mentioned an encounter while at the Escape from Alcatraz swim that was instrumental in Gibson’s return to Iraq.

Marine General James Mathis asked Gibson what he could do for him after meeting Gibson at the swim. Gibson’s request was to get back to Iraq.

Mathis made it happen and Gibson became the first full-leg amputee to return to the front lines.

Here's is what Bush had to say:

“Our troops on the front lines understand what is at stake. They know that the mission in Iraq has been difficult and has been trying for our nation — because they're the ones who've carried most of the burdens. They are all volunteers, who have stepped forward to defend America in a time of danger — and some of them have gone out of their way to return to the fight.

“One of these brave Americans is a Marine gunnery sergeant named William "Spanky" Gibson. In May of 2006 in Ramadi, a terrorist sniper's bullet ripped through his left knee — doctors then amputated his leg. After months of difficult rehabilitation, Spanky was not only walking — he was training for triathlons. Last year, at the "Escape from Alcatraz" swim near San Francisco, he met Marine General James Mattis, who asked if there’s anything he could do for him. Spanky had just one request: He asked to re-deploy to Iraq. Today he’s serving in Fallujah — the first full-leg amputee to return to the front lines.

"Here's what he says about his decision to return: ‘The Iraqis are where we were 232 years ago as a nation. Now they’re starting a new nation, and that’s one of my big reasons for coming back here. I wanted to tell the people of this country that I’m back to help wherever I can.’



Sommer Woodward writes for Pryor (Okla.) Daily Times.