With a heavy heart, we report the passing of Marine Corps veteran Austin Gibson on August 11, 2020, due to complications from pneumonia. Only 26 years old, Austin was a proud Marine with extensive training in diving and parachuting. In 2018, Austin suffered a tragic jumping accident where his parachute equipment malfunctioned, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He then spent many months in hospitals, including a stay at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. SALUTE was able to purchase a used adaptive van for Austin, thereby allowing him to be discharged from the hospital and return home to his wife and family in Iowa. He was officially discharged from the Marines on May 30, 2020.
Austin was a true and brave American hero. SALUTE extends their deepest sympathy to his parents and his wife, Michaella. Semper Fi.
