Rebuilding Sergeant Peck ― How I Put Body and Soul Back Together After Afghanistan

Marine Sgt. John Peck is a survivor, but he is also a thriver. His story still makes me smile. I am so grateful that he entered our lives.”—Jennifer Griffin, FOX News

Marine Sgt. John Peck survived an IED during the War on Terror that left him with a traumatic brain injury, amnesia, and cost him his marriage. He survived another three years later, one that left him with three and a half limbs missing. He’s one of only two living people to survive the flesh-eating fungus he contracted in recovery at Walter Reed, one that left him as a quadruple amputee. And that’s only the beginning of his story.

What followed was a recovery nothing short of miraculous. With resilience and the help of advocates like actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, FOX’s Jennifer Griffin, and Bill O’Reilly, John would use a specialized “Action Trackchair” wheelchair and a newly-built SmartHome to get a third lease on life. In 2016, Peck underwent a groundbreaking bilateral arm transplant, receiving two new arms. To date, the surgery has been successful.

Today, Peck is a motivational speaker, a philanthropist for veteran and wounded warrior causes, and is pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a chef with the help of Chef Robert Irvine. From the lessons learned in a difficult childhood and as a homeless teenager, to dealing with depression and PTSD in recovery, to learning how to chop with another man’s arms, Rebuilding Sergeant Peck is Peck’s account of an honest, visceral, and inspirational story that is truly unique.

Sgt. John Peck (ret.) served two tours as a Marine during the War on Terror. He became a quadruple amputee after being injured by an IED for the second time, and received a groundbreaking bilateral arm transplant in 2016. John is one of only two military members to have gone through this complex surgical procedure. As a result, he has become an advocate for organ donation and encourages every American to become an organ donor. He continues his philanthropy work and is pursuing his dreams of becoming a chef. In addition, he is becoming a motivational speaker focusing on inspiring corporations, non-profit organizations and others with his message of hope and overcoming obstacles with humor and resolve. He lives with his wife, Jessica, in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Dava Guerin is the co-author of Unbreakable Bonds and Vets and Pets, both released by Skyhorse Publishing. Guerin has worked with numerous US Presidents, and managed visits for world leaders, US politicians, and entertainers, worked closely with First Lady Barbara Bush, managed national and international public relations programs for many Fortune 500 companies, and managed media for the 2000 Republican National Convention. Guerin worked for more than twenty years in the marketing and communications and public relations fields. She served as communications director for the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, and owned her own public relations firm. She managed national and international public relations programs for many Fortune 500 companies and provided media credentialing and media management for the 2000 Republican National Convention, the President’s Summit for America’s Future, and We the People 200, among others. She lives in Berlin, Maryland, with her husband, mother, and two Labradoodles, J.P. Morgan and Tinkie. She lives in Berlin, MD. 

Terry Bivens is an award-winning journalist and highly ranked Wall Street analyst. After working for Bear Stearns, as a managing director covering the food industry, he moved to J.P. Morgan Chase after they purchased Bear Stearns. He was a regular guest on CNBC as well as other financial and business media outlets. His 1991 series for the Philadelphia Inquirer on the Dorrance family, majority owners of Campbell Soup, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and his work has appeared in the New York Times and several national magazines. He and his wife, Dava Guerin, and their Labradoodles live in Berlin, MD.