A soldier who was declared clinically dead after an improvised explosive device (IED) cost him both his legs in Afghanistan is getting ready to celebrate the one year anniversary of his survival. Lieutenant Nick Vogt will mark the occasion on November 12, and the anniversary will highlight the impressive advances made by the military medical community over the last several years, according to Military Times.
Vogt's journey began in November 2011 when an IED severely wounded both his legs. His serious injuries required more than 500 units of blood, the most for any casualty survivor in United States history. On his way to receive treatment, Vogt's heart stopped beating five times.
While he struggled to regain consciousness, eventually Vogt stabilized enough to be moved to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he still faced a long road to recovery that included infections and kidney failure. However, a year later he continues physical therapy to work his way toward his goal of going to medical school.
"People will tell me, ‘Oh, you did such a good job!’ But I’m like, ‘I was just the meat.’ I owe a lot to everyone – they are the ones who are inspiring," he told Military Times. "I have every reason to become a doctor, so I can give back."
Vogt's encounter with an IED is not uncommon for troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, IEDs were responsible for about 63 percent of deaths in Iraq.