Rebuilding Warriors

SFC (R) John Wayne Walding, born on the 4th of July, was raised in Groesbeck, Texas. He spent nearly 12 years in the United States Army, including seven years in the prestigious 3^rd Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He had combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

During his career at 3^rd Special Forces Group he served on ODA 3336 as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant and at the Sniper Detachment as a Sniper Instructor. On April 6, 2008, John lost his right leg to sniper fire during the battle of Shok Valley. He continued to fight alongside his brothers for four more hours earning him the Silver Star and Purple Heart. The incredible story of that six-hour fight is detailed in the book, "No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan" by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer.

John's military awards and badges include the Silver Star as well as the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Airborne, Air Assault and Special Forces Tab.

Post-injury, John attended Special Forces Sniper School and upon graduation became the first amputee ever to become a Green Beret Sniper. Using a hand crank-powered cycle, he went on to compete in the 2009 Boston Marathon, in which he finished 4^th, as well as being a top 10 finisher in the 2010 New York Marathon. He ran the 2010 Army 10 Miler, the 2016 Dallas Half marathon and 2019 Dallas Full Marathon. Twice he has completed one of the hardest marathon routes in the world, the Bataan Death March while carrying a 45 pound ruck sack.

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Since his military service he founded and currently runs Gallantry Global Logistics. It is Gallantry's mission to be a place for both transitioning and combat wounded veterans to regain their north star in the company of fellow vets who understand the battle never ends.

John also co-founded Live To Give, a beverage company that gives 50% of their net profits to Veteran and First responder charities. He also travels the country speaking to veterans' organizations, corporations and the public about leadership, excellence, and overcoming adversity using his motto "Lean Forward, Fight Hard".

John strongly believes his biggest accomplishment is marrying his beautiful wife, Amy and having their four wonderful children: Emma 19, Sam 18, Andie 13, and Hannah 9. They reside in Gunter, Texas.

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors