United States Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Toboz Jr. had a wonderful, active childhood. He lived on a farm for a time and loved the outdoors, riding dirt bikes, hiking in the woods, and building treehouses. An avid athlete, Toboz competed in wrestling, football, baseball, and track, and found joy in hunting and fishing. With a father serving as a Pennsylvania State Policeman and a mother working as a hairdresser, he proudly credits his parents for shaping the person he is today.
When college didn’t align with his path, Toboz searched for purpose and found it in service. In 1991, he joined the United States Navy, driven by a deep desire to protect the freedoms of his fellow Americans and stand among the world’s elite warriors. That decision would change his life forever. He graduated from the grueling Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1992 and earned his SEAL Trident in 1993, joining SEAL Team 8—a brotherhood of courage, sacrifice, and honor.
Toboz loved serving his country. He served two aircraft deployments to the Mediterranean and deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2002, Toboz earned the Silver Star with Valor for his actions during Operation Anaconda, but it was what came next that truly defined his legacy.
Wounded by machine gun fire in his left ankle, Toboz faced the unimaginable—an amputation just two weeks later. Yet, in the face of adversity, he chose resilience. Just nine months after his injury, he redeployed to Afghanistan with his team. He medically retired in 2004 as a Petty Officer 1st Class/Aviation Boatswain’s Mate-Aircraft Handling, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering dedication.
Today, Toboz continues to live life with passion and purpose. He hunts, fishes, and travels with his beloved wife, Linda, and daughter, Bianca—his greatest treasures. He prioritizes staying strong in body and mind, and he’s deeply grateful for the support of Tunnel to Towers, which has eased financial burdens and transformed his home into a sanctuary.
The message to all of us from United States Navy Petty Officer 1St Class Stephen Toboz Jr. is simple yet profound: He advises us all to never give up – “Learn something new everyday and be humble. By setting short and long term goals, you can accomplish anything! And above everything, LOVE LIFE.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided United States Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Toboz Jr. with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.