Bob Gautreau had been through a lot before becoming a patient at Valley Forge General Hospital.

Gautreau served in World War II in the 569th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, C Battery. His job was to shoot down enemy planes. During his time serving in the war, he stepped on a land mine during Battle of the Bulge as he was on his way to cross the Rhine River.

Gautreau and the troops were walking through the woods at the time.