Joshua B. Kerns, known as “J.B.” to his friends, is seen in a photo provided by his family. Kerns, of Ararat, was severely injured Thursday when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Afghanistan. He is being treated in Bethesda, Md.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

By DEBBIE HALL – Bulletin Staff Writer

A Marine from Patrick County has been wounded in Afghanistan and is fighting for his life in Bethesda, Md.

Joshua Benjamin Kerns, 21, of Ararat, was injured Thursday by an improvised explosive device (IED), according to his aunt, Jennifer Hall of Ararat. 

Kerns, known as “J.B.,” was a combat engineer on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, according to Hall and Kerns’ profile on Facebook. 

He and other members of his unit, which worked to deactivate IEDs, stopped their Hummer to conduct a mine sweep in a safety zone, Hall said. 

Kerns got out of the vehicle and “they said they believed he was beginning to kneel” down to work on a device when the blast occurred, Hall said. 

Kerns lost both his legs from the knees down, Hall said. He also lost his right arm from the elbow down, she said. 

Kerns’ left arm was broken in at least two places, Hall said. He also suffered shrapnel wounds to his groin and chest areas, she said. 

He was sent to Germany for treatment and had several surgeries there, Hall said. 

Medical personnel there were able to stabilize Kerns, and he later was transported to Bethesda, arriving there Sunday night, she said. 

Kerns’ parents, Alex and Debra Bowman, and other relatives were summoned to Maryland on Sunday night when his condition deteriorated, she said. 

“He was pretty unstable,” Hall said. “It was a pretty big scare.” 

Kerns spent most of Monday in surgery to flush sand from his wounds, she said. 

By Monday afternoon, “he is stable. That’s about the best we get” at this point, Hall said. 

Kerns has been conscious enough to realize his parents are with him, but Hall said she does not know if he has been able to communicate. 

But Kerns was living his dream with the military, she said. 

“All this boy ever wanted to do was to be a Marine,” Hall said. “He wanted to fly an airplane” in the military. 

After concluding his first tour of duty, the 2008 graduate of Patrick County High School re-enlisted and left for a second tour after his 21st birthday Feb. 19, Hall said. 

“He loves America. Josh has always fought for what he thought was right,” Hall said. 

The Joshua B. Kerns Benefit Fund was created to help the family with travel and related expenses while they are out of work and in Maryland with their son, Hall said. 

Contributions may be made at any branch of Carter Bank and Trust, she said.