FORT GORDON, Ga. -- With his family and fellow Soldiers watching, 1st. Lt. James P. McGrath of the Fort Gordon Warrior Transition Battalion received several awards including a Bronze Star with Valor and a second Purple Heart from Brig. Gen. Karen Gibson, Deputy Commanding General, JTF Headquarters-Cyber, on Feb. 12, 2015.
"Sgt. Heaton, when you can get us off this path, I would be very grateful," stated 1st Lieutenant James McGrath shortly before the improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on July 28, 2012, where he was serving as a Platoon Leader for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, at COP Sperwan Ghar in the Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
We were doing a left seat, right seat, showing the new platoon the area. It was supposed to be the fun area, says McGrath.
"So you go to a place that is not kinetic and you're not going to get shot at. I guess they were looking for me and they found me."
McGraths's platoon was conducting routine patrol when he was struck by an IED that detonated directly in front of him but it wasn't his first combat injury.
On May 30, 2012, while serving in the Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, McGraths' platoon was conducting clearance operations in support of Operation Keshmesh Khana when they came under direct fire from an enemy ambush.
After the initial fire fight, McGrath was struck by a 7.62mm round in the right buttocks while using the radio, but realizing that his injury was not life threatening, he continued to lead his men and had the medics take care of another injured Soldier.
Despite the wound, McGrath continued to instruct his men to protect the Helicopter Landing Zone (HLZ) and engage the enemy. After many hours of fighting, he organized the remaining Soldiers and Airmen from his Platoon and the Headquarters Section, and lead them through uncleared terrain to the reconsolidation area.
Since the injury, McGrath has been a member of the Fort Gordon Warrior Transition Battalion and is actively pursuing an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University while serving as a mentor for the Wounded Warrior Project.
He describes that his sense of humor is something that kept him together during the rehabilitation process and has allowed him to deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
"Everyone deals with emotions differently. The same way you go to funerals, and some people laugh, and some people aren't. For me, I like to be humorous. You see other people smiling and you naturally feel good."
McGrath describes the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced, from survivors guilt to feelings of detachment, but overall he credits his family and laughter as what helped him focus on healing and working towards the next phase of his life after the Army.
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