Colin Faust Sgt. Colin Faust, USMC

This website is for those who love and know Colin Faust. We promise to keep you all updated on his recovery! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

The Faust Family


Corporal Colin Faust, USMC is a determined and focused young man who is proud to serve his country as a United States Marine.

Colin had his calling to be a US Marine when he was in high school in Waconia, MN.  Upon his high school graduation in 2007, he attended Gustavus Adolphus College for 1 1/2 years until he could no longer resist the Marine Corps calling.   On January 26, 2009 Colin began boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA.  He successfully graduated boot camp 13 weeks later on April 24, 2009 as a Private First Class with great success. Next, he attended combat school in Camp Pendleton, CA and then began his military occupational school (MOS) training in Fort Sill, OK and Coronado Island, CA.  Colin completed the forward scout observer courses in December 2009 and graduated from both as Class Honor Man and received 2 letters of Commendation. He was also promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.  He then was assigned a permanent duty station with First Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF), Camp Pendleton, CA.  There he requested a deployment to Afghanistan and was given a temporary duty assignment with 2/11 and 3/5.  He also was given the opportunity to attend the Joint Forward Scout Observer school in Norfolk, VA in May 2010 and graduated Class Honor Man.  At this time he was promoted to his current rank of Corporal.  On Septemer 23, 2010 Colin deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment to Afghanistan attached as the Joint Forward Scout Observer. 

On October 15th at 3:03am Minnesota time, Colin was severely injured serving his country.  He was on foot patrol in northern Helmand Province clearing an area when he stepped on a pressure plate improvised explosive device. (IED).  He was immediately attended to by his corpsman whom he owes his life to.  He also owes his life to a Captain who sat and prayed with him. Colin remembers all the details of the day and was conscious until the helicopter arrived appoximately an hour later.  Surgery was performed on the helicopter and he was cared for at  Bastion field hospital in Afghanistan.  We were notified by the Marine Corp that Colin was critically injured (and a brief description of his injuries)  at 11:00 am and until Saturday evening at 9:00 pm we did not know if Colin would live.  Saturday evening Colin was stable enough to be flown to Landstuhl, Germany and this was the news that he would probably make it. On Tuesday, October 19th Colin was flown to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD and by 10 pm that night the Marine Corp had us (Mom & Dad) by his bedside. 

Colin's injuries are severe.  His left leg has been amputated above the knee and has tissue and skin loss.  His right leg has massive tissue and skin loss, knee damage and other injuries.  His left lower arm was also injured and will require skin grafts too.  He has a multitude of other injuries as well, but Colin is strong and is just a fighter.  We thank God that there is no organ damage and no head injuries.  Countless surgeries, skin grafting and other procedures are ahead of him along with fighting infections.

Colin is so appreciative of all his medical care and we are told that he is so very polite....even through the excrutiating pain he says please and thank you.  We are told by many what a fine young Marine he is. He still has a sense of humor and is grateful that all his loved ones could be here with him.

Our family cannot possibly be more pleased with the exceptional medical care Colin has received.  The Marine Corp has been just wonderful and provided us the gift of being by his bedside.  Colin's siblings, Cassie and Bryan were here by his bedside as well the 21st through the 24th thanks to our wonderful friends.  To those we know and to those we don't, who have been praying for our boy...THANK YOU!  We are so humbled by the outpouring of love and support and want you to know that we feel it.  God has given us the grace of his mighty strength to be strong with Colin and know we will have it every moment of every day. Colin had a tatoo that Cassie designed for him,   tatooed over his heart just before he left for Afghanistan.  It is a cross with Joshua 1:9 around it...remember the LORD GOD is with us wherever we go.

Please pray for Colin....strength, pain management, ability to fight off infections...we SOOOOOOOO appreciate every thought and prayer for him.  Please pray for his fellow 3/5 Marines as they sacrifice for us and all our troops.  May God Bless America!!

All our love and gratitude,

The Faust Family