Sgt. Josh Cooley takes a break from his work on top of an M1 A1 Abrams tank in Iraq July 1, 2005, just days before his convoy was blown up by an improvised explosive device. Cooley, a crew chief for amphibious assault vehicles, lost a third of his brain in the blast and sustained significant burns over much of his body. Over the next six years, Cooley defied all odds by steadily improving until he was able to walk, stand, talk and perform daily tasks. - Sgt. Josh Cooley takes a break from his work on top of an M1 A1 Abrams tank in Iraq July 1, 2005, just days before his convoy was blown up by an improvised explosive device. Cooley, a crew chief for amphibious assault vehicles, lost a third of his brain in the blast and sustained significant burns over much of his body. Over the next six years, Cooley defied all odds by steadily improving until he was able to walk, stand, talk and perform daily tasks.