The Del Pozo Family

U.S. ARMY SPC FERNANDO VELASCO DEL POZO JR.

U.S. Army Specialist Fernando Del Pozo Jr. grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was raised by his grandmother who instilled strong values of loyalty, respect, honor, and always take care of family.  Del Pozo joined the army in 2009, and he was stationed in Tacoma, Washington, throughout his five-year military career, including a one-year combat deployment to Afghanistan.

Del Pozo was trained as a gunner and served as a lead gunner during his deployment. While in Afghanistan, his convoy was attacked twice within a six-month period.   During the second attack, Del Pozo was in a vehicle which was directly above an IED when it detonated. The vehicle was flipped, and he suffered significant injuries, forcing a medical evacuation. He was hospitalized for treatment and was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down.

The IED explosion left him with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic back pain which restricts movement and causes him to use a cane, arthritis throughout his body, combat-related PTSD, and anxiety.

For his service, Del Pozo was awarded a Purple Heart, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, an Army Achievement Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terror Service Medal, Combat Action Badge among many others.

Del Pozo met his wife, Adrenna, while training in Tacoma in 2011. The couple was married during Del Pozo’s R&R from deployment in 2012 and moved to Texas following Del Pozo’s honorable discharge from the military. His doctors suggested a warmer climate would allow for better quality of life with his chronic injuries.

The couple has three children and currently lives in Hockley, Texas. Adreena is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, while homeschooling the oldest two children.

Despite his limitations, Fernando is active with fellow veterans as he reintegrate himself back into society and enjoys hiking, fishing and cooking.

Operation Finally Home is proud to partner with Highland Homes along with the Houston Texans and USAA to present U.S. Army SPC Fernando Del Pozo Jr. and his family a mortgage-free home at Jordan Ranch in Fulshear, Texas.