John Pucillo
“Sports are a way to keep fit and make connections, also to encourage the next generation of disabled athletes. It is a way to continue to overcome your disability and ensure that you maintain a positive attitude and live your life to the fullest.” - Lieutenant Commander (RET), John F. Pucillo
Pucillo was raised in Marlboro, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Navy in 1991 as a Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Assistant.
In May 2006 in Baghdad his patrol was attacked and a roadside IED blew into his vehicle. He sustained an above the knee amputation of his left leg, he was evacuated to Langstuhl, Germany and then to follow on care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for rehabilitation.
From June 2006 to February 2007 Pucilla underwent rehabilitation and was transferred to Naval Explosive Ordnance Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) Indian Head, Maryland where he assumed the duties as Readiness and Training Officer for NAVEODTECHDIV.
Puccillo returned to full active EOD duty in August of 2007, supervised the training of the Combined Explosive Exploitation Cells that deployed in support of OEF and participated as an athlete with the United States Para-Olympic sailing team competing for Beijing 2008.
He finished his 27-year career in the Navy retiring out of Little Creek VA at the Naval Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center. He remains a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Pucillo has been awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, 5 Navy Commendation Medals, 2 Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Valorous Unit Award, 3 Good Conduct Medals, 2 National Defense Service Medals, 2 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 3 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, 4 Overseas Service Ribbons, and has qualified for the Navy Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals.
Pucillo’s current passions include volunteering for Veteran and disabled children organizations as a Move United Warfighter Ambassador and serving as Officiator for Move United USA Wheelchair Football League. In addition, he is a SCUBA Dive consultant for Operation Blue Pride and Player and Co-team manager for US Amputee Soccer Revolutions. His passions include SCUBA, Snowboarding, Swimming, Weight Training, Cycling and Gamer.
Sports
- Snowboarding,
- Martial Arts/Adaptive Martial Arts,
- Scuba,
- Mountain Biking/Adaptive Mountain Biking,
- Swimming
City
- Ashland
