Cooper Brannan

Cooper Brannan
Born	November 7, 1984 Houston, Texas
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	2003-2011[1]
Rank	Corporal
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Combat Action Ribbon Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2) National Defense Service Medal Certificate of Commendation (individual award)[2]

Nels Cooper Brannan (born November 7, 1984 in Houston, Texas) is a former US Marine who briefly played minor league baseball for the San Diego Padres. Brannan, who as a Corporal in the United States Marines lost his pinky finger on his left hand (his non pitching hand) while serving in Iraq.^[3]

Early life

Brannan was raised in Gilbert, Arizona where he graduated in May 2003 from Highland High School. While in high school Brannon was a three-year letterman for football and baseball.^[2]

Military career

Brannon graduated boot camp in October 2003 as the platoon honor-man. In December of that same year he completed School of Infantry and his first duty station was Twentynine Palms, California in January 2004. He was deployed to Hitt, Iraq in February 2004 as an infantry team leader. He returned home in October 2004 and was redeployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September 2005.^[2]

In November 2005 Brannon was injured by a flash bang grenade he sustained multiple injuries to left hand resulting in amputation of left little finger and medial hand.^[4] He was medically evacuated to Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital) for three follow-up surgeries and rehabilitative therapy. He has since participated with All Marine Corps Baseball Team and USA Military All Star Baseball Team while assigned to MCRD San Diego.^[2]

He was married on January 20, 2006 to Lindsay Marie Wagener.^[1]

Baseball career

Brannan signed with the San Diego Padres in February 2007.^[5] He pitched in 20 games for the Rookie-level Arizona League Padres in 2007, finishing with a 9.69 ERA and a 1-3 record, and the Class-A Eugene Emeralds in 2008. He pitched for the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League in 2009.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Wounded Iraq Vet Makes Major League Pitch". CBS News. 31 January 2011. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/05/sportsline/main2537134.shtml. Retrieved 11 July 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Padres agree to terms with Marine Corporal Cooper Brannan on Minor League contract". San Diego Padres. MLB.com. 13 February 2007. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070213&content_id=1800967&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd. Retrieved 11 July 2011. 
3. ^ Brannan, Cooper (31 May 2010). "Memorial Day Remembrance". Baseball prospectus. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=11027. Retrieved 7 July 2011. 
4. ^ Smith, Jeff (2 September 2008). "Still in the game". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/mlb/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1220325911171350.xml&coll=7. Retrieved 7 July 2011. 
5. ^ Padres press release

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Story about Cooper Brannan
• ABC Person of the Week
• Yahoo Sports

Persondata
Name	Brannan, Cooper
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 7, 1984
Place of birth	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Date of death
Place of death