John Peck

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER * QUADRUPLE AMPUTEE * DOUBLE ARM TRANSPLANT

In 2007, Sgt. John Peck was serving in Iraq when he was first wounded. The vehicle he was riding in while manning the turret gun hit an IED. Peck was left with vision, balance problems, complete loss of short term and long-term memory, and hearing problems as a result. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which made him lose his short and long term memory. Undeterred, Sgt. Peck went through months of grueling physical therapy with the goal of returning to the Marines and serving his country. 

He reenlisted in the Marines and things were going well until May 24, 2010; that fateful day that would change his life forever. At the age of 24, Sgt. Peck was in Helmand province, Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Weapons Company as a mortar man. Peck was out on patrol when he stepped on and triggered an IED. The blast amputated Peck’s legs, part of one arm, caused severe damage to his other arm and wounded him severely in the stomach. 

As a result of medical complications, doctors ended up amputating part of Peck’s remaining arm. He received treatment in Germany and was later transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Peck endured 27 different surgeries, and received 41 pints of red blood cells, 35 units of plasma and five units of platelets. He almost died three times during his surgeries and on the third was actually pronounced dead. Despite his fragile condition, Peck became an advocate for blood donations.

On August 26, 2014, he was officially listed to receive a double arm transplant in Boston. Almost two years later to the day, Peck received good news - a donor was located.

After a 16-hour surgery, with two identical surgical teams each working on one arm,  Peck was the second military member to receive an upper bilateral transplant. 

Today, John Peck is a much sought-after inspirational speaker, sharing his story of hope and overcoming injuries that seemed insurmountable.  Targeted audiences include corporations, healthcare, universities and colleges, veteran organizations, high schools and non-profit organizations. 

Peck is a co-author of Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: How I Put Body and Soul Back Together After Afghanistan.

John's story has been featured on Fox News, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, and Time.