IED claimed Marine's legs, not his sense of humor

NJ Marine who lost his legs 'the same jokester self,' fellow Marine says
New Jersey.com
By Justin Zaremba
August 09, 2014

U.S. Marine Sgt. Aaron Alonso lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan on Feb. 8. Since then, he's made gains in his recovery, even climbing the Lincoln Memorial without the aid of prostheses. Pictured, Alonso, left, with fellow Marines.
(Courtesy of Zachary Shook)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It's been six months since U.S. Marine Sgt. Aaron Alonso lost his legs after stepping on an explosive device in Afghanistan, but, despite the injuries and the recovery process, he's "the same jokester self," according to a Marine who was formerly under Alonso's command.

Alonso, a Jefferson native, served as Zachary Shook's section leader in Afghanistan from Dec. 8 until Feb. 8, when he was critically injured.

"He was a very knowledgeable man and always looked after his Marines," Shook said. "In combat he always encouraged us to keep high in spirits and led us to critical attacks on the enemy."

Shook, a lance corporal, told NJ.com that a sweep for improvised explosive devices in a compound in Nad Ali, Afghanistan was conducted by two Marines and an improvised explosive detection dog, Fidler, minutes before the incident. The Marines and the dog failed to detect the device because it had rained recently, Shook said.

Alonso then went into the compound to ground guide a MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle) into the corner, but "as (Alonso) reached the corner, he stepped on a 20-pound IED," Shook said.

Two Marines then ran over and put tourniquets on Alonso's legs and a physician bandaged his wounds while awaiting a casualty evacuation helicopter, Shook said.

Both of Alonso's legs were amputated in the explosion and he sustained extensive abdominal injuries in the blast.
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