A U.S. combat veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart medal living in Orange County is speaking out about his harrowing experience in Afghanistan along with the struggles of managing post-traumatic stress disorder while transitioning back into civilian life.
Victor Becerra, now a resident of Fullerton, enlisted in the Army in 2011 when he was a senior in high school.
After basic training at Ft. Hood in Texas, Becerra was deployed to South Kandahar Province in Afghanistan where he was later wounded in combat.
I was the lead vehicle in the convoy,” Becerra told KTLA. “I was a gunner. My truck was the one that got hit. I got hit by an improvised explosive device, which is known as an IED. I woke up several minutes after to getting medically evacuated.”
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Victor Becerra seen serving in the U.S. Army in this undated photo. (viewer image) -
Damage seen to Victor Becerra’s truck after it was struck by an IED in Afghanistan. (viewer image) -
Victor Becerra seen serving in the U.S. Army in this undated photo. (viewer image) -
Victor Becerra seen serving in the U.S. Army in this undated photo. (viewer image) -
Victor Becerra, a resident of Fullerton, was awarded the Purple Heart after being injured in combat in Afghanistan. (KTLA) -
Victor Becerra seen holding framed photos, certificates and his Purple Heart medal. (KTLA) -
Victor Becerra, a resident of Fullerton, was awarded the Purple Heart after being injured in combat in Afghanistan. (KTLA) -
Victor Becerra seen holding his decorated military uniform. (KTLA)
