Cooper Brannan

Nels Cooper Brannan (born November 7, 1984 in Houston, Texas) is a former US Marine who briefly played minor league baseball for the San Diego Padres. Brannan, who as a Corporal in the United States Marines lost his pinky finger on his left hand (his non pitching hand) while serving in Iraq.[3]

Cooper Brannan
BornNovember 7, 1984
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service2003–2011[1]
RankCorporal
Battles/warsIraq War
AwardsCombat Action Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2)
National Defense Service Medal
Certificate of Commendation (individual award)[2]
Spouse(s)Lindsay Marie Wagener[1]

Early life

Brannan was raised in Gilbert, Arizona where he graduated in May 2003 from Highland High School. While in high school Brannan was a three-year letterman for football and baseball.[2]

Military career

Brannan graduated boot camp in October 2003 as the platoon honor-man. In December of that same year he completed School of Infantry and his first duty station was Twentynine Palms, California in January 2004. He was deployed to Hitt, Iraq in February 2004 as an infantry team leader. He returned home in October 2004 and was redeployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September 2005.[2]

In November 2005 Brannan was injured by a flash bang grenade he sustained multiple injuries to left hand resulting in amputation of left little finger and medial hand.[4] He was medically evacuated to Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital) for three follow-up surgeries and rehabilitative therapy. He has since participated with All Marine Corps Baseball Team and USA Military All Star Baseball Team while assigned to MCRD San Diego.[2]

Baseball career

Brannan signed with the San Diego Padres in February 2007.[5] He pitched in 20 games for the Rookie-level Arizona League Padres in 2007,[6] finishing with a 9.69 earned run average and a 1–3 win–loss record, and the Class-A Eugene Emeralds in 2008. He pitched for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League in 2009.[6]

Personal life

He was married on January 20, 2006 to Lindsay Marie Wagener.[1]

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References
  1. "Wounded Iraq Vet Makes Major League Pitch". CBS News. January 31, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  2. "Padres agree to terms with Marine Corporal Cooper Brannan on Minor League contract". San Diego Padres. MLB.com. February 13, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  3. Brannan, Cooper (May 31, 2010). "Memorial Day Remembrance". Baseball prospectus. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  4. Smith, Jeff (September 2, 2008). "Still in the game". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  5. Padres press release
  6. Stephens, Bailey (July 3, 2009). "Military All-Stars tap baseball tradition". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
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