U.S Marine loses both legs in IED blast

Cpl. Marcus Dandrea

A 21-year old U.S Marine corporal was severely injured in an explosion in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Marcus Dandrea had both of his legs amputated at the knee three days ago, after he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol, according to his family.

Mark Dandrea said he learned the extent of his son’s injuries in a predawn telephone call from him Friday, according to an interview with Times-Union news partner First Coast News.

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British soldier hunts down insurgent across minefield

An insurgent bomber, caught red-handed laying deadly improvised explosive devices, is facing a life of imprisonment after a British soldier from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards gave chase across a minefield to catch him.

The insurgent, who could have caused the deaths of many troops or Afghan civilians, is facing Afghan justice thanks to Guardsman Lewis Wilby's heroic actions.

Despite being weighed down with more than 60lbs (27kg) of kit, the 26-year-old Irish Guardsman outran the bomber, sprinting across uncleared ground where IEDs were known to have been laid, and caught him as he tried desperately to hide out in a local villager's compound.

Read full story at MOD Defence News