The Mason Family

U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Mason joined the military in September 2005. Following his basic training at Ft. Benning in Georgia, Mason was stationed at Ft. Drum, New York where he joined the 10th Mountain Division.

During his time in service, he received both a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantry Badge. Mason was deployed to Afghanistan one month after being stationed at Ft. Drum. While on duty, his left leg was struck by a bullet, causing him to roll down a mountain. The fall left him with a cracked skull and a broken nose, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome with residual cognitive disorder and focal seizures. Mason was immediately medevac’d to Asadabad before being transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he spent 13 months recovering.

While at Walter Reed, he took convalescent leave and married his high school sweetheart, Cassie. In the spring of 2010, Mason earned his liberal arts associate degree from Des Moines Area Community College before transferring to Drake University, where he graduated in 2013 with a double major in marketing and management. Mason and his wife have a two-year-old daughter, Emma, and a one-year-old son, Carter.

In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, riding ATVs and motorcycles, and cheering on the Denver Broncos. Mason plans to obtain his Juris Doctorate degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University with hopes of pursuing a career in law or entrepreneurship.