#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Dillon Behr

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Dillon Behr, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, receiving a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Dillon Behr was born in Illinois, and enlisted shortly after 9/11. Behr met the qualifications for Army Special Forces, and went to Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training, infantry training, and airborne school. He then transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed his Special Operations Preparation Course. He spent three years training to become a Green Beret, completing the program in 2005.

Weeks later, Behr deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Special Forces Group. On his second day in Iraq, Behr was part of his first operation which involved reclaiming Tal Afar from terrorist control. After, he spent six more months training Iraqi soldiers to be self-sustaining. He later deployed to Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, his unit’s mission was to train the first battalion of Afghan Commandos. On April 6, 2008, Behr and his team flew into Shok Valley for Operation Commando Wrath. Shortly after entering the valley, they were surprised by a large force of armed insurgents. Behr was halfway up the mountain when the firefight started.

Behr went to seek cover at a rock outcropping, but quickly determined it wasn’t reliable protection. While pursuing better security, a bullet hit him in the hip. His teammates made their way towards him. While one was providing aid, another bullet whizzed by, striking both of them and leaving Behr with a wounded bicep.

Behr spent a few weeks in intensive care and two months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center before being released. He later received a prosthetic hip and began rehab and physical therapy. During recovery, Behr finished his undergraduate degree and started doing CrossFit. Behr also finished a master’s in security studies from Georgetown University in 2012.

Behr medically retired from the Army in 2008. He is a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient.

Thank you for your service!

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Contributors

Writer: Kimberly Kassis

Editor: Rachel Falconer

Fact checker: Ileana Rodrigues

Graphic artist: Katie Rahill