MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Every Marine goes through stressful situations in the Marine Corps. Sometimes it's life-altering circumstances that can make or break a career. Marines are forced to reach within themselves and find a strength they thought was lost. Whether a Marine’s down, he’s definitely never out for the count.
For Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Amstutz of Payne, Ohio, who sustained injury while deployed fighting the Global War on Terrorism, the future is still very bright.
Amstutz, an assaultman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 9. A few months later, while attached to a Combined Anti-Armor Team, the 20-year-old was on a patrol down a road in Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded underneath their vehicle.
“Shrapnel shredded into my left foot and right knee,” Amstutz said.
After surgeries to his wounds, Amstutz was assigned to the Wounded Warrior barracks, for recovery Sept. 1.
He will report back to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment Nov. 21, where he will prepare to return to the fight.
Amstutz graduated from Wayne Trace High School where he wrestling and was an explosive football player.
After graduation he joined the Corps for a different explosion.
“When I first joined the Corps I was going to be a rifleman,” Amstutz said. “Soon, as I learned more about the infantry I realized I wanted to blow stuff up. So that’s why I chose to be an assaultman.”
Even now, with three years left, Amstutz plans to reenlist. His next goal is to be with Explosive Ordinance Disposal.
He wants to continue blowing stuff up, while fighting for freedom.