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U.S. Army Specialist Jonathan “Chance” Cleary joined the U.S. Army in 2011 after graduating high school and was immediately deployed to Afghanistan following boot camp.
Shortly after arriving, Chance was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and pronounced dead on the scene. After showing signs of life, he was flown to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and stayed there until he was stable enough to be transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Due to the extent of his injuries, Chance spent almost 3 years between various hospitals for multiple surgeries and extensive therapy sessions.
After suffering from overwhelming pain following rehabilitation, Chance’s medical team decided to amputate his right leg below the knee. As with many amputees, Chance still suffers from pain after the surgery.
Chance served for three-and-half years and was honored with several awards for his service including the Purple Heart, NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and many more.
Because of his injuries, Chance is not able to work. When Chance Cleary joined the U.S. Army in 2011, he planned on coming home to North Carolina and raise a family. Thanks to Operation FINALLY HOME and Wilkes & Yadkin County Builders Association, Chance will have a custom-built, mortgage-free home in Purlear, N.C.
