Semper Fi & America's Fund

Mission

The Fund is a top-rated nonprofit that provides lifetime care to wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. We focus on service member and family support, transition to civilian life, and wellness programming.

Success Story

Navy Corpsman Daniel “Doc” Jacobs – Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Hope. 

While deployed to Iraq, Doc Jacobs was on his 225th combat patrol when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck his vehicle, critically wounding Doc and members of his unit. All the dreams that Doc had aspired to fulfill hung in the balance as he battled for his life. But Doc refused to give up, and his future soon included remarkable accomplishments like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro … all because he dared to keep dreaming of what he could achieve. Even when facing impossible hardships, Doc never lost hope and has inspired countless others to do the same.  

The recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and two Navy Good Conduct Medals, Doc completed years of rehabilitation after the IED explosion. During Doc’s initial hospitalization, he met his case manager at The Fund, who provided bedside support throughout his healing process and hasn’t left his side since.  

“The Fund has been there for me on so many emotional levels,” said Doc. “It’s amazing how many veterans and service members you all have helped.” 

Before medically retiring, Doc returned to the Fleet Marine Force and made history as the first amputee corpsman to be assigned to an infantry unit.  

Doc now serves as a peer mentor for fellow veterans and persons with disabilities and also founded The Doc Jacobs Foundation to provide sports scholarships for kids of military families. A proud father and author, Doc has worked with organizations all over the world to share his story, encouraging everyone he meets to never give up, never back down, and never lose hope.