Charlie Linville

Staff Sgt. Charlie Linville, who joined the Marine Corps after leaving college, became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, a role that involves the highly dangerous task of disarming improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. His rigorous training notably had an attrition rate of 65%, highlighting the challenges and risks associated with this critical military position.

On January 20, 2011, while conducting a post-blast site sweep in Afghanistan, Linville and his team encountered an IED hidden beneath another. The explosion resulted in severe injuries, leading to the amputation of his right foot after a prolonged 14-month stay in the hospital. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of his injury, which earned him a Purple Heart, Linville found a new mission during his recovery. "I got blown up and severely wounded and kind of sat in a hospital bed and couldn't figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life and what could this body that I now have do," he said. His answer was to aspire to climb the highest peaks around the world, starting with Mount Everest.

Linville's attempts to summit Everest were fraught with natural disasters. His first attempt in 2014 was halted by an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall, which claimed the lives of 16 Nepalese guides. In 2015, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal caused further avalanches on Everest, impeding his climb once again. Despite these setbacks, Linville persevered and ultimately became the first combat-wounded veteran to summit Mount Everest. This achievement is part of his broader goal to climb The Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent.

Linville's story is not just about personal achievement but is also a source of motivation for others. He encourages audiences to reject the notion of "I can't" and to take the first steps toward their goals. By sharing his experiences with humility and humor, he inspires others to overcome their limitations and illustrates the power of emotional resilience and dedication. Linville's journey and ongoing involvement with The Heroes Project continue to impact and inspire, as he uses his story to help other wounded veterans tackle monumental challenges. A documentary capturing live footage of his Everest ascent is currently in production, promising to bring his inspiring story to an even wider audience.