Marine Sgt. Merlin German

Sergeant Merlin German was only 19 when he and his unit got deployed to Iraq. When his squadron was attacked by a roadside IED, he was left with severe burns on over 97% of his body. His rescuers were unsure if they would be able to help him survive such a devastating injury with the minimal resources they had, but by the grace of our doctors serving overseas they were able to keep him alive. After a 17 month hospitalization with dozens of surgeries, and  having to relearn how to walk and talk, Merlin earned the nickname “Miracle Marine.” Not only because of his remarkable ability to persevere through a near-lethal injury, but because he was determined to make the world a better place for other burn victims like himself. Before he died in 2008, Sergeant Merlin German was dedicated to providing for other victims suffering from burn related injuries. It is in the memory of brave heroes like Sergeant Merlin German that we honor our mission to bring healing and peace to burn survivors all over the world.