Casey Owens
{{Short description|American soldier and athlete}}
{{for|the American basketball coach|Casey Owens (basketball)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Casey Owens
| birth_date = c. 1981
| death_date = October 15, 2014
| death_place = Aspen, Colorado, United States
| placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery
| placeofburial_label = Place of burial
| image = Cpl. Casey Owens, USMC, Ret..jpg
| caption =
| allegiance = {{USA}}
| branch = United States Marine Corps
| serviceyears = 2002–2004
| rank = Corporal
| commands =
| unit =
| battles = Iraq War
| awards = Bronze Star
Purple Heart
| laterwork =
}}
Casey Owens (born c. 1981 − October 15, 2014) was a United States Marine, Iraq War veteran, and Paralympic athlete from Houston, Texas, United States. He is best known for completing marathons in a wheelchair after his legs were amputated due to the injuries received while on a rescue mission during the Iraq War.[http://lonestartimes.com/2005/11/02/casey-breezes-through-usmc-marathon/ Casey breezes through USMC marathon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317050912/http://lonestartimes.com/2005/11/02/casey-breezes-through-usmc-marathon/ |date=March 17, 2008 }}, November 2, 2005, Lone Star Times, access date 02/04/08KRT Photos, November 3, 2004[https://web.archive.org/web/20110517122548/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-68563.html Marine Enjoys a Triumphant Day], October 31, 2005, The Washington Post, by Kathy Orton, access date 02/04/08
Biography
Owens deployed for a second tour in Al Anbar Province in Iraq in August 2004. On September 20, 2004, his vehicle struck two anti-tank mines which resulted in severe injuries to his legs. His injuries resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee. Owens underwent multiple surgeries and rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Centerm and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to losing both legs, his injuries included a broken jaw and collarbone, shrapnel wounds, collapsed lungs, and blood clots in the lungs.
The muscle and skin flaps on his amputation stumps failed to close properly and resulted in nonhealing wounds. Owens said he subsequently underwent repeated amputations which further reduced the size of his stumps while a patient at VA and military hospitals. Through his own funds and the help of several charitable organizations, Owens received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in New Orleans, Louisiana by Dr. Paul Harch.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA9CpV_W9Lg], CBS News, August 3, 2009 access date 10/16/14 In 2008, Owens testified before the United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in a hearing regarding the "poor quality of care" and "bureaucratic maze" that military personnel must navigate in order to receive medical care from the VA.[http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2008/03/17/congressional-committee-holds-oversight-hearing-to-examine-care-of-seriously-wouned-veterans/ Congressional Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Examine Care of Seriously Wounded Veterans] (March 18, 2008), Veterans for Common Sense.
After a return to college which proved unsuccessful due to traumatic brain injury, Owens became an accomplished skier and marathon runner in the Paralympic Games.[http://www.fortbendlifestylesandhomes.com/jul9F-HelpingAHero-CaseyOwen.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017083233/http://www.fortbendlifestylesandhomes.com/jul9F-HelpingAHero-CaseyOwen.htm |date=October 17, 2014 }},Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes, July 2009, access date October 16, 2014[http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20070224/RECREATION01/102250037&SearchID=73304759131914 Warriors on the snow], The Aspen Times, February 24, 2007, by Charles Agar, access date 02/04/08
Death
Owens struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence. He was convicted of drunk driving in 2010, and subsequently entered a recovery and rehabilitation program. In a 2012 interview with CBS News' David Martin, Owens said: "I really don't think I'll ever be free. I don't think the burden of war is ever gone."{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/for-some-vets-the-iraq-war-will-never-end/ |work=CBS News |title=For some vets, the Iraq war will never end |date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=October 16, 2014}}
Owens died by suicide on October 16, 2014. His memory was honored with an "appreciation party" in Aspen, Colorado on October 18, 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.aspentimes.com/news/13421223-113/owens-aspen-appreciation-party |title=Casey Owens 'appreciation party' is Saturday |newspaper=The Aspen Times |date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=October 16, 2014}} He was interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.
The Western Slope Veteran's Coalition Veteran Resource Office in Glenwood Springs Colorado was dedicated to Jesse Beckius and Casey Owens, both Marines that took their own lives.
{{Portal|Biography}}
References
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Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War
Category:United States Marines
Category:Military personnel from Houston
Category:Paralympic track and field athletes for the United States
Category:Paralympic alpine skiers for the United States
Category:American male alpine skiers
Category:Sportspeople from Houston