Luis is from northern Virginia. He volunteered for military service after high school and entered the Army in September 1996 to be an Airborne Ranger.
In November 2003, he began the Special Forces Qualification Course and he earned the coveted Green Beret in 2005 and was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha Communication Sergeant. In July 2007 he then went to the Special Forces Intelligence Sergeants Course and was assigned as the intelligence sergeant on Operational Detachment Alpha 3336. In 2011 he was assigned to the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School where he was an Intelligence Instructor at the Special Forces Intelligence Sergeants Course.
On April 6, 2008, Luis was on a combat operation called Commando Wrath in the mountains of Nuristan, a province in Afghanistan. This operation was one of the biggest gun fights in 2008. Luis and three of his teammates were severely injured. He was gravely wounded after being shot twice through the right leg while saving a teammate’s life. He lost ¾ of his blood before he could be transported to the nearest Combat Field Hospital. The story of this battle can be read in the book “No Way Out: A Story of Valor in The Mountains of Afghanistan,” by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer. In this fire fight ten Silver Stars (one upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor) and an Air Force Cross were awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat and gallantry in action against an enemy while trying to save each other’s lives in a situation that did not favor any of them living through the battle.
Although retired from the Army, Luis works for the Navy as a federal civilian at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center. He has been awarded a Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart Medal.
Luis graduated summa cum laude from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is an avid triathlete and competes in local triathlons. Luis is a Brand Ambassador for Kinetic Multisports. His own personal mission is to advocate for Paratriathlon and the Physically Challenged division of triathlons and to support triathlons as a safe and healthy lifestyle for veterans.
Luis is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathryne, from Fredericksburg, Va. They have a two daughters Sophie (8) and Claire (4), and a son Liam (6). The family actively participates in the Stafford, VA Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
