United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class David Charbonnet was born in San Diego, California. He grew up with his parents, who did an excellent job of placing their identity onto their faith, and his little brother, who was and remains his best friend. The Charbonnet family spent time in San Diego, California and Oahu, Hawai’i before settling in The Woodlands, Texas. There, Charbonnet created bonds with his peers, which became lifelong friendships. He loved to play football, surf, spend time with his friends, and play the guitar. Charbonnet and his wife, Janet, met in high school and remained in the same friend group as she attended college and he attended Navy training. The pair began spending more time together, bonding over their shared love of running, and their relationship grew from there. They were later married and started a family of their own.
Inspired by his father who was a Navy SEAL and whom he considers a hero, as well as the events of September 11, 2001, Charbonnet decided to enlist in the US Navy in January of 2006. He served with SEAL Team 1 and loved being a part of something important and bigger than himself. Charbonnet wanted to utilize his bravery to fight for the freedom of his country. While in basic training, he was recognized with the Military Excellence Award. In 2011, he was parachuting with three other SEALs and while on his second jump, he attempted to land and stalled his canopy, which resulted in him falling 80 feet. The injuries Charbonnet sustained included a L1 burst fracture, a spinal cord injury, and a cracked liver, leaving him paralyzed. He attended VIP NeuroRehab Center and worked out everyday to improve his injuries and continues to do so regularly.
Currently, Charbonnet resides in San Diego with his wife, Janet, and children, Haylee, John Paul, and Isaiah, whom he loves very much. His interests include lifting weights, kayak racing, and Formula 1, as well as being the Chairman of the Board for VIP NeuroRehab Center. In the future, Charbonnet is excited to compete internationally in kayak racing and to hopefully qualify for the paralympics. The support from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has lifted a great deal of financial pressure from the Charbonnet family and allows for their home to be better equipped for his needs. Finally, Charbonnet would like others to know that his family and Faith in God has been the driving force behind getting him over each of his obstacles in life.