Navy Gunner’s Mate, Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Hurley grew up with a strong sense of family, service, and adventure. The oldest of four siblings—one brother and two sisters—he was raised in a military household. His father served as a Marine, and his mother was a Navy Nurse. Much of his childhood unfolded in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with some of his fondest memories rooted in life on Quantico Marine Corps Base.
From an early age, Hurley thrived outdoors. He spent countless hours hiking through the woods, running, swimming, and shooting—activities perfectly suited to the environment around Quantico. Music also became a major part of his life; he played guitar across many genres. He excelled at long‑distance running, completing his first Marine Corps Marathon in seventh grade under his mother’s bib number while she worked the medical tent. Surprising her at the finish line with a medal remains one of his favorite memories. Later, after the family moved to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, he began learning to surf—a passion he carried until the time of his injury.
Several experiences shaped Hurley’s decision to join the military, but one moment stood out. After witnessing him being attacked at a Metro station after high school, his mother jumped into the fight without hesitation. Watching her take a hit to the chin while protecting him crystallized for Hurley the meaning of sacrifice and courage. He also reflected deeply on the events of 9/11, especially knowing his father narrowly avoided being inside one of the buildings that collapsed that day. These moments strengthened his resolve to serve, fight terrorism, and push himself to become the best version of himself.
Hurley entered the Navy’s delayed entry program a year before enlisting in January 2005. The greatest reward of his service, he recalls, was the extraordinary people he worked alongside and the camaraderie forged through both triumph and hardship.
He advanced to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training as part of Class 258, one of the younger candidates at the time. Although he left the program with every intention of returning, he continued serving with determination. He was assigned to a Mobile Security Detachment in Bahrain, where he trained rigorously, helped fellow sailors improve their swimming skills, and became deeply involved in mixed martial arts with another friend preparing to return to BUD/S. Together, they served as armorers and watch standers on missions spanning the Persian Gulf, the Horn of Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea.
On October 6, 2006, Hurley’s life changed dramatically. While returning to base on the Bahraini Causeway with his friend MA3 Roger Napper—who had been training to become a Navy Diver—their vehicle was intentionally targeted. Hostile locals followed them and executed a pit maneuver, sending their car sideways at high speed into a curve. The vehicle flipped, rolled, and struck a concrete light pole. Hurley regained consciousness hanging from his seatbelt, immediately aware that both of his legs were broken. Napper died at the scene.
By a stroke of luck, an American witness saw the crash from a nearby condo, called for help, and Hurley was transported to a local hospital and placed in a medically induced coma for more than a week. Once stable, he was moved to Balad, Iraq, then to Landstuhl, Germany, where surgeons made the decision to amputate his right leg above the knee. He had also sustained a traumatic brain injury, a broken left femur, a shattered left kneecap, and embedded glass in his eyelids, ears, shoulder, and arm.
Today, Hurley leads a full and active life. He enjoys reading, swimming, sled hockey, rowing, alpine and cross‑country skiing, and playing guitar whenever he can. He treasures time with his children and loves taking walks with his dogs. Hurley and his wife enjoy a partnership that grew from the spark of their first date years ago. They share a passion for travel, discovering new places to eat, and planning future adventures together.
Hurley and his family view the support they have received from Tunnel to Towers as transformative. Because of this support, his wife was able to return to school to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Tunnel to Towers has helped the Hurley family refocus on what truly matters, easing stress and opening doors to new possibilities. They are honored to be part of the T2T community, and their gratitude continues to grow as they look forward to paying that support forward.
Navy Gunner’s Mate, Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Hurley believes deeply in adapting to change and embracing each new day as an opportunity. He encourages others to stay grateful, help when they can, and meet challenges with resilience. Proud of his family and his country, he looks ahead with optimism and excitement for whatever comes next. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Navy Gunner’s Mate, Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Hurley with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.