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Story About Marine's Injury & Death
N.J. Marine dies after 7-year fight to save leg
WOODLAND PARK ? Staff Sgt. Oscar Canon lived in constant motion ? an athlete and a Marine, raised in Colombia, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. He served two tours of duty in Iraq, fighting in some of the war?s bloodiest battles. Not even a 2004 insurgent assault, which nearly claimed his left leg and his life, could stop the Dumont High School graduate.
After more than seven years and 80 surgeries performed after the attack to try to save the leg, Canon died last month after lapsing into a coma at a naval hospital in Oceanside, Calif. Though his death is still under investigation, it appears to be connected to an infection in his leg.
The military considers it a combat death.
Canon was also marked by fierce determination. He kept the leg when friends and family said it would be better to amputate. He returned to the Marines as a weapons trainer. He longed to play football with his young son.
But today, those same friends and family are wondering if that fighting instinct, and the measures Canon took to save his ?million-dollar leg? may have cost him his life.
?There was no length he would not go to,? said Amanda Barbaro, a volunteer with the Illinois non-profit Wounded Heroes who became close friends with Canon. ?He did three times as much therapy as he was supposed to. He did whatever they told him to do times 10.
?It?s sad because he fought so hard and what ends up taking his life is an infection,? she said.
Canon, whose many decorations included a Purple Heart and a good conduct medal with two Bronze Stars, was laid to rest last week with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by friends and family from across the country.
?He had a genuine concern for others," said his uncle, Julian Canon. ?He protected people. He offered his life for the other guys.?
It was just days into Canon?s second Iraq deployment with the 3rd Batallion in the 5th Marine Regiment. Out on patrol, Caspare said, Canon heard a bomb go off in front of him ? he hit the road and grabbed his pistol, firing wildly in front of him.
Canon?s leg had been shattered. He had suffered extensive internal injuries and damage to his left arm.
In his hospital bed, Canon had a choice: to remain in the Marines, he needed not only to keep his leg, but to stage an improbable recovery so he could pass the physicals required for duty. The alternative, a full amputation just below his left hip, would mean less risk, but the end of his military career.
Canon had already made up his mind. ?He was going to fight for that leg,? said his cousin, Angela Castillo.
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