Derek VanBuren

Hometown - Negaunee, MI
Branch of Service - US Army and Michigan Army National Guard
Rank - Staff Sergeant
Awards - Bronze star, Purple Heart x 2 , ARCOM w/valor, ARCOM, Meritorious Service Medal
Theater - OEF

Derek was born and raised in the small rural town of Skanee in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Over the years he learned about the outdoors from his father, grandfather, and several other relatives and friends. He loved to hunt, fish and trap from an early age and his passion for all things outdoors continues to this day. While attending college, he worked as a hunting guide, which broadened his interest in hunting, especially bow hunting. He attended his first WWIA event at Camp Hackett, Wisconsin in the fall of 2010 and had a blast.

Derek joined the Active Army in July of 1998 and was deployed to Afghanistan from Nov 2008 until July 2009. While deployed, he and other members of his crew were wounded by an RPG during an intense firefight. He then spent some time in Lundstuhl, Germany, Walter Reed Army Hospital, and the Warrior Transition Unit while recovering from wounds, for which he received the Purple Heart medal. He retired after a total of 26 years in the Army and Army National Guard.

Today he lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He enjoys stream fishing for Brook Trout, fishing Lake Superior for Lake Trout, Predator Hunting, grouse and small game hunting, Bow hunting of all kinds, and most anything outdoors. Derek really enjoys being a WWIA Guide for the camaraderie, enjoyment of the outdoors, meeting and connecting with fellow Purple Heart recipients and traveling to great places and meeting amazing people all over the country that are doing great things for our nations combat-wounded veterans.