Retired Staff Sergeant Bobby Dove, a medically retired Army Green Beret and double amputee, was honored during the Red, White and Blue Celebration at HarborWalk Village June 9.

SSG Dove, now a resident of Crestview where he operates his inshore and near-shore charter fishing business, Hooligan Charters, grew up in Virginia and enlisted in the Army in 2008. After earning his Green Beret in 2011, he was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base.

Once assigned to an “A” team, he deployed to Afghanistan in January 2012. On June 9, 2012, while operating a dirt bike on patrol, he triggered a pressure plate improvised explosive device, instantly amputating his right leg and right hand along with numerous other injuries.

After being stabilized in country, he was then flown to Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. After many surgeries, extensive rehab and multiple prosthetic fits, he returned to duty in January 2013.

While returning to duty, he was able to maintain his position as the senior medical sergeant on his original operational team and deploy, on a non-combat deployment, to South America in the summer of 2013. Once returning from deployment, he then became one of the Warriors with Character and The Character Building Project of The Special Operations Wounded Warriors, aiding returning other wounded operators to duty and the fight.

He medically retired in July 2014.