Jason Pak (2015 New American Hero Award – Captain Jason Pak, U. S. Army Retired)
Captain Jason Pak traveled the world as an Army brat. In 2007, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in May 2011 with a degree in systems engineering in 2011, proceeding to both Airborne and Ranger schools. Jason went on to field artillery school and deployed to Afghanistan in October 2012. On December 12, 2012, an IED (improvised explosive device) blast claimed both his legs and two of his fingers. Today, Jason is employed by the Boeing Company as Manager for Army Weapons Systems in Government Operations. He’s also active in sharing his story through inspirational speaking and plans to return to school. “Everybody goes through difficulties in life,” Jason says. “The only thing is that my injuries are more visible than others. I’m very fortunate for the fact I’m here today. I truly think I’ve become 10 times more mature and more thankful for what I have, and I’m never really upset by things I don’t have. I have absolutely no regrets. I’m happy it happened to me and not to one of my guys.”
