An Iowan who won the Navy’s second highest honor says he plans to retire and give up his goal of returning to Iraq. Sergeant Major Brad Kasal of Afton was awarded the Navy Cross after he used his body to shield another marine from a grenade blast while fighting insurgents.
Kasal suffered injuries that required multiple surgeries and more than one year of therapy. Kasal sought to prove doctors wrong after they told him he would never walk again, and should have his leg amputated.
"I did succeed and I am walking," Kasal says, "I actually can run. I can’t do running alot, but I can go out for an occasional run."
Kasal says he won’t be able to get his leg back to 100 percent. Kasal says he still has issues that he’ll have to deal with for the rest of his life. Kasal is currently working as a recruiter supervisor in Dubuque, but plans to retire in one year. Kasal says he’s interested in real estate or opening his own coffee shop. Kasal made his comments on the Public Radio program "The Exchange."