75TH RANGER REGIMENT
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310 / (910) 432-6005 / http://news.soc.mil
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS CORY JACOB REMSBURG
Sergeant First Class Cory Jacob Remsburg was born in Phoenix, Arizona and
moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he lived with his father and step mother, Craig
and Annie Remsburg.
He graduated from Ritenour High School in Overland, Missouri, in June 2001. While
in high school, SFC Remsburg participated in marching band, orchestra, and jazz
band. He also belonged to the German Club and played on the varsity volley ball
team as well as highly active in the US Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol program.
SFC Remsburg became interested in the U.S. Army Rangers while in high school. He
entered the U.S. Army from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri July 2001.
He attended One Station Unit Training, Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger
Assessment and Selection Program at Fort Benning and was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and currently served since 2002.
He has multiple deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
SFC Remsburg was on his tenth combat rotation when he and his squad were
conducting a combat operation involving multiple enemy contacts on October 1,
2009. His squad was responsible for killing nine enemy combatants and destroyed
a large weapons cache. During the operation, SFC Remsburg was very seriously
wounded by an improvised explosive device.
At the time of the explosion, SFC Remsburg was thrown into a canal. He was
rescued and rendered immediate lifesaving medical care by his fellow Rangers.
He was airlifted to Kandahar Air Base for triage, and then to Bagram Air Field for
surgery. He was medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Germany where he spent two weeks receiving additional medical treatment. From
there, SFC Remsburg was transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital October 16, 2009
where he was treated for acute medical injures, and he remained in a coma
condition.
75TH RANGER REGIMENT
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310 / (910) 432-6005 / http://news.soc.mil
On Nov 12, 2009, SFC Remsburg was transferred to the James Haley Veterans
Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Since the initial injury, and over 3 months in a coma, SFC
Remsburg started to emerge into consciousness.
After nearly 15 months since his injury and being hospitalized, SFC Remsburg was
moved to out-patient status, getting an apartment in Tampa and continuing his
daily occupational, physical, vision and speech therapies at the Tampa VA
Center.
SFC transferred to the Casa Colina Hospital in January 2012, where he participated
in the Transitional Living Center program for 16 months. Then then returned to
Phoenix, Arizona to start his recovery using the Phoenix VA Center programs.
Throughout the past 6 years, and several dozens of surgeries, SFC Remsburg is
making remarkable progress, participating in local, state, national and
international events, inspiring others to ‘keep pushing on’ when challenged by
personal events. SFC Remsburg’s courageous fight towards his recovery has always
been noteworthy within the military, his family and the community. It was elevated
to a national spotlight when SFC Remsburg was highlighted during the State of the
Union Address in January 2014 by President Obama. He has been receiving
recognition and awards from various organizations around the country. News
organizations continue to report on his recovery, which included CNN, USA Today
newspaper, CBS, People magazine, AARP and many more local and regional
news organizations.
Today, SFC Remsburg is a recipient of a mortgage free home from Army Ranger
Lead the Way Fund, and Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors. He moved into
his new home in April 2015, which has ADA compliant requirements, a workout
gym room, therapy pool and Jacuzzi and additional special features.
75TH RANGER REGIMENT
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
FORT BRAGG, NC 28310 / (910) 432-6005 / http://news.soc.mil
SFC Remsburg’s military education includes the Emergency Medical
Technician/Paramedic Refresher Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger
Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Warrior Leader
Course, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Jumpmaster Course, Combatives
Level 1 and the Advanced Leader Course.
His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman
Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall
Parachutist Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
He has also been awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service
Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal for
valor, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement
Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf
clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2
combat stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with 7 combat stars, Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned
officer professional development ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, Army Service
Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
- RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! -