CPT. LUIS AVILA
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RANK: Cpt.
STATUS: Active Duty
HOMETOWN: Metairie, LA
CURRENT LOCATION/SRU: Bethesda, Maryland/Walter Reed
National Military Medical Center
EVENTS:
Archery
Cycling
Field
Indoor Rowing
Precision Air Sports
Cpt. Luis Avila enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000, later earning his commission in 2004. With degrees in Accounting, Computer Science, and Business and Organizational Security Management, he pursued a distinguished career in the military police, serving in various leadership roles and completing multiple combat tours including Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, his fifth deployment, where he faced catastrophic injuries from an IED explosion that left him completely paralyzed. Despite sustaining significant physical and cognitive trauma, he defied the odds, emerging from a coma and gradually regaining speech and motor functions through resilient determination and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, notably incorporating music therapy.
Discovering a passion for singing and harmonica playing during recovery, he utilized these talents to inspire others and aid in his own healing journey. Remaining an active advocate for fellow service members, Cpt. Avila excelled in adaptive sports, achieving first place in the Amputee Warrior Men category of the Army Ten-Miler and earning a spot on Team Army for the Warrior Games, where he secured multiple medals.
He had the honor to be a member of Team US competing at the 2025 first ever Winter Invictus Games in Canada. His unwavering dedication to service has garnered prestigious honors such as the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and The Order of the Marechaussee in Silver.