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b"On December 5, 2005, Air Force Special Ops Paratrooper Israel Del Toro's life changed completely when, returning to his base, the Humvee he was in ran over an IED. The resulting explosion and fire burned Del Toro over 80% of his body. He survived, somehow, and was transported back to a U.S. hospital. Against enormous odds, his trials and tribulations to live were just beginning. For the first time, Del Toro tells the full story of his ordeal in his truly inspiring memoir, A PATRIOT'S PROMISE: Protecting My Brothers, Fighting for My Life, and Keeping My Word (St. Martin's Press, on sale July 4, 2023, $28.99).
For the next four months, Del Toro lay in a coma. On three separate occasions his devoted wife, Carmen, was called to his side as doctors feared he would not make it overnight. His story is not only one of courage and overcoming horrific obstacles from war, but also conquering myriad roadblocks throughout his life. At age 12, he lost his father and became the man of the house. Having been told by his high school guidance counselor he should just concentrate on going to a local junior college, the determined teen ended up with a scholarship to the University of Illinois. But just as things started rounding into shape in his young life, his mother unexpectedly died. Now Del Toro had to fully embrace the promise he gave his father to take care of his younger siblings. He walked away from his college dream and returned home to care for his family.
With his siblings growing up, and family members close by, Del Toro made the tough decision to enlist in the Air Force. His skills were a natural fit and his superior officers could see his natural leadership qualities. Though recently married, with a baby boy to care for as well, he was deployed to Afghanistan. His strength and perseverance made his fellow cadets gravitate towards him. And then.December 5, 2005. Still, after being told he'd spend 18 months in the hospital, Del Toro was so determined to return home that he was released only two months into his stay. He still needed daily care from his wife, Carmen, and his greatest fear remained - would his young three-year-old son be frightened of his physical appearance? When father and son met again after months of separation, the young boy ran into his father's arms. All he wanted was his Dad back.
His amazing story began inspiring other wounded troops, and soon thereafter Del Toro became an advocate for others in the Burn Unit and those badly injured. He continues to inspire today, speaking at numerous organizations and foundations, and numbers among his strongest friends President George W. Bush, Prince Harry, Gary Sinise, and Jon Stewart. Del Toro has gone on to set records and win medals at The Warrior Games and The Invictus Games. He won the Pat Tillman Courage Award at the ESPYs. Perhaps his most amazing accomplishment, though, occurred in February of 2010 when he became the first completely disabled airman ever to re-enlist in the Air Force and become an instructor. Though he couldn't deploy again he was at least back in the game."