University of Colorado at Boulder, 2002
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Inducted November 2010
Ms. Melissa Stockwell graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Ms. Stockwell attended the Transportation Officer Basic Course in Ft. Eustis, VA before reporting to her first duty assignment: 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, TX. In March 2004, Ms. Stockwell deployed with her unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a routine convoy on 13 April 2004, a roadside, improvised explosive device struck Ms. Stockwell’s unarmored vehicle. The blast resulted in the loss of her left leg. After a year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, undergoing multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, Ms. Stockwell was medically retired from military service and today stands as an above-the-knee amputee. Ms. Stockwell received a Purple Heart for her injuries and a Bronze Star for her actions in combat.
Following medical retirement from military service in 2005, Ms. Stockwell transformed tragedy into opportunity, seeking success in athletic competition, including multiple triathlons, marathons on an arm-crank bike, skiing, and competitive swimming. In April 2008, against many odds, Ms. Stockwell made the Paralympic Swim Team, becoming the first Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom to qualify for the Paralympics. She represented the United States in Beijing as a competitor in the 100-meter Free, 400-meter Free, as well as the 100-meter Butterfly, and had the honor of carrying the American flag into the closing ceremonies. Using the 2008 Summer Paralympics as a springboard, Ms. Stockwell sought success as a paratriathlete, making the Paratriathlon Team in Spring 2010 and qualifying for the World Championship. On 11 September 2010, Ms. Stockwell added Paratriathlon World Champion to her achievements, winning the gold medal in Budapest.
In addition to a successful journey from Baghdad to Beijing and Budapest, Ms. Stockwell completed the Prosthetic Practitioner Program at Century College in Minnesota where she learned to fit other amputees with artificial limbs. Ms. Stockwell seeks to assist others as a certified Prosthetist. She contributes significantly to the community as both a leader and volunteer, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Wounded Warrior Project and a certified peer visitor for the Amputee Coalition of America. In 2005, the Golden Buffalo Battalion established the Melissa Hoffman American Spirit Award, conferred annually to the Cadet who exhibits the same positive attitude and strength of character that Ms. Stockwell demonstrated as an ROTC Cadet, as an Officer in the United States Army, and now, as a renowned athlete and future, certified Prosthetist.