A young father and veteran who lost all four of his limbs during his third tour in the Middle East has named his newborn son after the medics he credits with saving his life.
Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, of Hallowell, Maine, was critically injured on April 10, 2012, when an improvised explosive device went off after he set down his ammunition bag, causing him to lose portions of both arms and legs.
The 30-year-old runs a retreat in Maine for combat-injured veterans.
Dax Fieldyn Mills was born last month. He was named after Daniel and Alex, two medics that quadruple amuptee Travis Mills credits with saving his life
Travis Mills, 30, lost all four limbs when an improvised explosive device exploded during his third tour in Afghanistan on April 10, 2012
He says his son’s name, Dax, is a mashup of the medics’ names, Daniel and Alex. He says that without them, ‘We would not be where we are today.’
Mills on Tuesday announced the arrival of Dax Fieldyn Mills on Facebook.
He posted: ‘We would like you all to welcome our newest team member, Dax! We have been enjoying the past few weeks soaking in this time with our family of four!’
Mills shared this photo of Kelsey, Chloe, and Dax on Facebook. He said that Chloe was jealous Dax had 11,000 likes and wanted some of her own
Mills and his wife Kelsey have another child named Chloe (pictured). Chloe was born just a few months after Mills left for his third tour in the Middle East
‘Dax was named in honor of the two medics, Daniel and Alex, who saved Travis’ life on April 10, 2012. Without them we would not be where we are today and we are so excited to pay tribute to them with the name of our son!’
He and his wife, Kelsey, already have a daughter, Chloe. Dax was born last month. Chloe was born just months after Mills left for this third tour in Afghanistan.
The quadruple amputee was so sure he was going to die after the explosion that he sent a medic that tried to help him away.
He said: ‘Get away from me, doc. You go save my men. Let me go. Save my men.’
Mills is one of just five soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan who survived losing four limbs. However, he maintains that he is no different from thousands of other wounded veterans.
‘It’s my story, but there are so many other guys out there like me,’ he has said in the past.
Mills was hospitalized for 10 months after the explosion and underwent 19 months of rehab
Mills has met several politicians, including former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara
He was hospitalized for 10 months after the explosion and underwent 19 months of rehab. Mills has said he focused on getting out of the hospital as quickly as possible so he could see his family again – especially his daughter.
The veteran has now dedicated his life to helping other injured veterans.
Mills and his 28-year-old wife Kelsey run the Travis Mills foundation together. The foundation was created in 2014 and is dedicated to helping fellow veterans. An incredible fundraising drive raised $2.75million to make the foundation possible.
Mills’ lakeside retreat hosted 57 injured veterans and their families for free this summer. Mills says the retreat shows participants how they can overcome disabilities to continue engaging in fun activities with their families.