Johnathon Towles - Fellow

Johnathon Towles enlisted in the United States Army in May of 2004. 

Having a father, brothers and uncles who are all veterans influenced his decision to enlist and his desire to help others inspired him to become a Combat Medic.   

During his enlistment he deployed twice.  The first time was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 - 2006 to Mosul, Iraq and then again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2009 - 2010 to Regional Command South, Afghanistan.

In July of 2012, after 8 years and 4 months of Active Duty, Towles was medically retired as a result of injuries sustained while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Through his affiliation with the Wounded Warrior Project, Towles heard about the U.S. House of Representatives’ Wounded Warrior Program and, specifically, a fellowship opportunity with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is also a two-time combat veteran. 

As the Military and Veterans Services Liaison in Honolulu, Hawaii, Towles works hard to assist local veterans with a myriad of issues such as disability claims, lost or overdue medals and difficulty in obtaining healthcare, with the latter being the most challenging aspect of the job. Older veterans have difficulty with access to care, particularly those living on the various islands that make up the Hawaii.

The job is demanding but Towles says, “It is rewarding to be able to reach out and help those veterans who do not even realize they are eligible for assistance.”