U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Krapels, 25, of Chosen Company,

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Krapels, 25, of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, served with Chosen during the 173rd’s previous deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X. After an injury from machine gun fire, Krapels, a native of Sparta, N.J., had more than 20 surgeries before returning to Chosen Company and deploying with them again to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Sword, TF 173 Public Affairs)