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Cpl. Carl Sampson CW3 Michael Wells LCpl. Justin McLeese Sgt. Jeffrey Lynn Kirk
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams Cpl. Matthew Cole Spc. Russell Kyle Burleson Spc. Christopher Vining
Sgt. Christopher Ramsey Sfc. Michael McNaughton Sgt. John Aaron Blanchard LCpl. Ryan McCurdy
Sgt. Sammy Anderson Sgt. Jonathan Reed Lt. Christopher Barnett Pfc. David Burridge
Cpl. David Bear Stewart Sfc. Kurt Comeaux Spc. Matthew King Cpl. Michael Savoie
Cpl. Jacob Schick LCpl. Hardy Mills IV
After the events of 9/11, Sergeant Michael McNaughton enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard. He was assigned to the 769th Engineer Battalion, HSC, Combat Heavy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in July 2002. During Operation Enduring Freedom, McNaughton lost his right leg and two fingers when he stepped on a land mine while performing his duties. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Louisiana War Cross.
After being at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for 4 months, he came home to be with his family and for rehabilitation. Fourteen months after his accident, he ran with President Bush at the White House. It was the first time he had run that far.
Since then, he has participated in various races and marathons for challenged athletes including the Endeavor Games, an Achilles Club 5-mile run through Central Park in New York, and the triathlon for Challenged Athletes which included a 1.2 mile swim in the ocean. In January of this year, he participated in a half marathon in Walt Disney World Florida and in March, he ran a 26 mile marathon. He has also run races in the Baton Rouge area and he is not done. Mike also helps out several charities.
Thank you Sergeant McNaughton for your courageous service and sacrifice for our country.