In 2004, 19-year-old Mary Dague enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. She deployed on January 1, 2007 as a senior team member to Camp Liberty, Iraq. On November 4, 2007, after disarming an IED and removing most of the explosive hazard, Mary began packing it for transport. The device began to wobble and Mary tried to grab it, but it detonated removing both of her arms above the elbow. She was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for her actions while deployed to Iraq.