Israel Del Toro Jr.

Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.) Israel Del Toro Jr. is a combat-wounded Air Force veteran, Paralympic athlete, and motivational speaker known for his story of survival and perseverance. Del Toro was injured near Qalat, Afghanistan, when his Humvee detonated a concealed landmine, resulting in third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body and the loss of fingers on both hands. He spent nearly three months in a coma, with doctors giving him a 15 percent chance of survival and predicting he would not walk or breathe independently again.

Del Toro underwent more than 100 surgeries and became the first airman to re-enlist after becoming eligible for a medical retirement with a 100 percent disability rating. Within a year of his injury, he was walking and breathing on his own and received the Purple Heart for his actions. He became the first Paralympian in the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program, training for national and international competitions in cycling, track and field, and powerlifting. Del Toro trained at the Olympic Training Center and competed in events such as shot put, discus, and javelin.

Del Toro set world records in shot put, discus, and javelin, and earned a gold medal at the Invictus Games. He also competed in the Warrior Games, participating in shot put, discus, cycling, relay, shooting, and sitting volleyball, winning multiple medals. Del Toro served as an instructor in the Air Force Academy's parachuting airmanship course, training cadets for the Wings of Blue parachute demonstration and competition team.

Del Toro has received several honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs. His journey is chronicled in the memoir "A Patriot's Promise," co-authored with T.L. Heyer. Del Toro advocates for wounded, injured, and ill service members, working to raise awareness and influence public policy.

As a speaker, Del Toro addresses audiences on resilience, overcoming adversity, and supporting injured veterans and individuals with disabilities. His life story, from military service in Afghanistan to competing as a Paralympic athlete, highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of commitment and advocacy for veterans.