Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Eden Pearl of the U.S. Marine Corps. Eden AKA “the Viking warrior” enlisted in 1994 where he served as a recon Marine, scout sniper and combat diver. He later became a critical skills operator in United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). He deployed to Kosovo three times from 1999-2001 and then was part of the initial invasion to Iraq in 2003, and again in 2004.
Eden was selected in 2009 to lead his own team of Marines in Afghanistan as part of 2nd Marine Raider Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They were deployed to Heart province. “He had this aura about him where you just wanted to follow him,” a member of Eden’s team told The Washington Post.
On Aug. 16, 2009 Eden’s vehicle hit a roadside bomb while on patrol. He had burns over 90 percent of his body, but continued to inquire about his Marine’s well-being. Eden also suffered a traumatic brain injury, lost both of his legs and one arm. He is considered to be the most severely wounded Afghanistan Veteran to survive.
Master Sergeant Eden Pearl recently succumbed to his combat injuries after fighting for six years. We honor his service. Semper Fidelis and Spiritus Invictus
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