Texas native CSM Gretchen Evans is one of the
most decorated female veterans in US history
having received the Bronze Star, the Combat Action
Badge, and the Purple heart. She held leadership
roles in multiple combat engagements throughout
her 27 years in the Army, including overseeing more
than 30,000 ground troops in Afghanistan.
In 2000, while serving in Afghanistan, Gretchen’s
world changed in a millisecond when a rocket blast
caused her debilitating injuries including losing all
hearing – ending her military career.
With the help of her guide dog and her rope team of
friends, Gretchen navigated her way through a
changed life and adopted a new mission: to
advocate on behalf of wounded veterans. In 2019,
she founded Team UNBROKEN, a mixed-ability
athletic team, competing in races and events all
around the world. In 2022, Gretchen received the
Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYS.