United States Army Major Ivan Castro’s life has been defined by adventure, service, and an unbreakable will to overcome. His childhood was filled with hunting, bike and horseback riding, and playing soldier. From Boy Scouts to JROTC, from windsurfing to working on the farm, he embraced every challenge with energy and curiosity.
In 1988, driven by a deep sense of duty and inspired by generations of service before him, Castro joined the Army. He quickly found his calling in the camaraderie and teamwork that define military life. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, earning promotions to Captain and Major, and serving with distinction across the globe—in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, and throughout South and Central America.
Castro served as both a senior noncommissioned officer and a commissioned officer, earned the Combat Infantry Badge with a star, and held roles in the Special Forces, 3rd Ranger Battalion, V Corps Long Range Surveillance, 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and the Pathfinder Detachment. He also shaped future warriors as a Drill Sergeant, embodying the values of discipline, courage, and leadership.
In Iraq, during an 82mm mortar attack, Castro’s life changed forever. The blast left him totally blind in both eyes, with devastating injuries: enucleation of his right eye, a fractured arm, collapsed lungs, broken facial bones, shrapnel wounds across his body, the loss of his right index finger, and an aneurysm in his vertebral artery. In the face of this unimaginable trauma, Castro rewrote the definition of resilience. He remained on active duty for 10 more years after losing his sight—an extraordinary feat that speaks to his strength and unwavering commitment to serve.
Today, Castro continues to defy limits. His hobbies include salsa dancing, music, travel, and extreme adventures that most wouldn’t dare attempt: skiing to the South Pole, running across the Sahara Desert, running with the bulls, and hiking long distances across rugged terrain. His future goals are just as bold—skiing to the North Pole, rowing across the Atlantic, summiting Machu Picchu, visiting the Galápagos Islands, and hearing the call of a blue-footed booby.
Through the support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Castro now lives in a home adapted to his unique needs, free from the financial strain of a mortgage. He appreciates the full impact of this gift – the lasting stability, renewed dignity, emotional relief, and the freedom to reconnect and thrive within his community.
Above all, United States Army Major Ivan Castro lives with purpose. “Being a man of faith,” he says, “I believe I have been given a second chance for a reason. I want to fulfill that purpose and make the most of my second life.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided United States Army Major Ivan Castro with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.