"...I wanted to be a helicopter pilot..."

Max Cleland

Max Cleland, circa 1965-1966 War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Army Unit: 68th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Service Location: Vietnam; Japan Highest Rank: Captain Place of Birth: Lithonia, GA

Max Cleland, former U.S. Senator and American war hero, lost both legs and his right arm when a grenade exploded during his service in Vietnam. Drawing on his own experience of pain, depression, and frustration, he rose up to accomplish significant improvements for veterans returning from war. Youngest administrator ever of the Veterans Administration, and Senator from Georgia for six years, he has earned respect for his work in health care, bio-terrorism preparedness, and homeland security.