Wounded Warriors in Action - WWIA

WWIA Associates

WWIA Associates are selected by the Founder based on their commitment and demonstrated potential in helping the WWIA accomplish its mission. All of these heroes are volunteers and exceptional men.

	Staff Sergeant (Retired) Victor Dominguez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Miami, Florida. Vic enlisted in the Army 4 days after graduating from high school. According to Vic, “It’s what I wanted to do since I was in 1st grade. Vic spent 7 years in the Army and would still be serving today if he hadn’t been injured. Vic served 2 years (tours) in Iraq. The highlights of his military training and accomplishments are Ranger School, Airborne, and Air Assault School. Vic is most proud of having graduated from the US Army Ranger School. Vic is 25 years old and has a wonderful 7 year old son who, according to Vic, “…is my purpose of everyday life.”

	Cpl Jacob Whipkey, is currently serving his fourth year in the U.S. Army, 101st ABN division, stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky. He is currently attached to the Warrior Transition Unit where he is undergoing medical treatment for his wounds. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received while serving his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His second tour was cut short on November 18, 2007, when he was wounded while under fire in Samara Iraq. Cpl Whipkey was born and raised in Boswell a small town in Western Pennsylvania where he graduated from North Star High School and left one week later for basic training at Ft Benning, Georgia. Jacob is a successful fisherman and hunter and has harvested, small game, fall and spring turkeys, wild boar, white tail deer and bear in his hunting lifetime. Jake is featured in several pictures at the following link: http://www.stripes.com/07/nov07/bombers/

	Tom Schenk was born in St Paul MN in 1971, and attended Woodbury High School. Tom served in C Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd Platoon, in the weapons squad. According to Tom, “John (The WWIA Founder) may have even got me lost once or twice.” Tom currently lives in Holcombe, WI and is running a tavern (Old Boggies Bar). Tom is also a fishing guide and builds custom fishing rods.

	SFC Brandon Lloyd has served from Jan 1998 to present. He served for 4 years on a light infantry scout sniper team with the 101st Airborne Division where he deployed to Kosovo in 2000. SFC Lloyd Reclassified to become a combat medic in 2002 where he was then assigned to the 4th Infantry Division where he served as a senior Line medic during the Invasion of Iraq in 2003 treating over 400 combat casualties. After his tour he was reassigned to the 506th Infantry Regiment at the 101st where he deployed to Iraq in 05 with the 1 Squadron 61st Cavalry Recon and Surveillance Team and was wounded when his vehicle was struck by a Road Side bomb in East Baghdad. He is now currently serving with the Brigade Headquarters in Eastern Afghanistan as the Medical Operations NCOIC. Among his awards and decorations’ are 3 Army Commendation Medals, 4 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Bronze Star Medals and the prestigious Purple Heart Medal.

	Sergeant Robert Leonard was born in Roswell, New Mexico in September of 1983. Robert went to school K-12 there and graduated from Goddard High School in the spring of 2002. After graduation he went to work as a fence hand in June of that same year. After only 8 months he was already a Foreman and had 4 men working directly under him. When President George Bush declared war in Iraq Robert felt the need to join the military and fight for the country. In May of 2003 he joined the Army as a 19D Cavalry Scout. Due to a high enlistment rate at the time he did not enter basic training until August of 2003. While in Fort Knox, Kentucky during basic training Robert married his high school sweetheart Lacey Leonard and in December he graduated from basic training and he and his wife were sent to Fort Stewart, Georgia. Robert was assigned to A-Troop, 3/7 Cav. Cavalry Scout was the perfect fit for him and he excelled in everything. The unit he was with deployed on January 20th of 2005 one month before the birth of his first child Kamryn Leonard. In April of 2005 he was sent home on R&R leave and got to meet his baby girl for the first time. Sadly after 15 days he had to go back but he didn't mind because his job wasn't done. For 7 more months he conducted combat operations with his unit and after being deployed for almost 11 months Robert's Bradley rolled over an IED which resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. He returned home quickly and in November of 2005 he was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center for rehabilitation. On the 1st of January 2006 the man that had inspired Robert to join the War on Terror, President George Bush, pinned his Purple Heart on his chest. Robert stayed at BAMC and went through close to 20 surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy for a year and a half and on February 7th 2005 was medically retired from the Army. Robert and his family now live in Fort Worth, Texas where he is attending college in pursuit of a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has always been an avid hunter and enjoys everyday he gets to spend in the outdoors. His wife is expecting a baby boy and is due in December of this year. Robert and his Family have adjusted to the situation well and have not slowed their life down one bit, if anything it has made their relationship stronger because if there is one thing this incident has shown them it is that there is no time to take for granted.

	Duane Wallace was born in 1963, at Dewitt Army Hospital in Ft. Belvoir, VA while his father was in the Army. He moved to Florida when he was less than 1 year old and currently resides in Jacksonville, FL with his wife and 4 children. He is an avid sportsman, and the principle organizer of the annual Wounded Warriors in Action Gator Hunts. Duane also serves as the senior guide in charge, responsible for coordinating and executing WWIA gator hunts. Duane never served in the military, but is no stranger to veterans. Numerous family members have served, including his father, uncles, father-in-law, sister-in-law and cousin. Their experiences span from the Vietnam War to most recently, Special Forces service in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Duane’s patriotism and commitment to conservation is deeply rooted in his experiences growing up in the outdoors. His study of the Founders of our great nation, and his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America (where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout), have served him well and helped shaped his ethos as a sportsman. Duane’s passion is awareness of the founding principles of this great nation, showing appreciation to those who have served, and preservation of our American heritage for today and future generations.