US Soldier's Near Death Experience Becomes Source of Hope for Comrades

An inspiring story of resilience from the AFPS, worth repeating. Sometimes it's all about hope. MP+

Soldier Turns Brush With Death Into Message of Hope
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service




Army Capt. Joshua Mantz speaks with Iraqi children while on patrol near Sadr City, Iraq, about an hour before an enemy sniper attacked his unit and nearly killed Mantz, April 21, 2007. A military medical team brought him back to life. Courtesy photo


WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2010 – Army Capt. Joshua Mantz was dying on a hospital bed in Iraq.

Just moments earlier, a sniper’s bullet had severed a femoral artery in his right thigh, causing massive blood loss. As the medical team strove to save him, Mantz struggled to take each breath. He felt the blood creep from his legs to his stomach to his chest -- a telltale sign of a catastrophic injury -- and knew the end was near.

He began repeating the names of his mother and two sisters in his head, over and over, and then had his last thought -- a prayer: “Please take care of them.”

He felt a deep peace and took one last breath. Everything faded to black, and he died.

Read the whole story here.