Wounded National Guardsman 'Making Extraordinary Progress' — Now Breathing Independently and Moving to Rehab

A National Guardsman who suffered a gunshot wound to the head in Washington, D.C., in late November is showing encouraging recovery, doctors say. MedStar Washington Hospital Center neurosurgeon Dr. Jeffrey Mai reported that U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, is now breathing on his own and can stand with assistance as he prepares to move from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation.

Medical Update

'Sixteen days ago, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was airlifted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center with a critical gunshot wound to the head,' Dr. Mai said in a statement. He credited the quick response of emergency personnel and the hospital's trauma and neurosurgery teams for lifesaving interventions, including emergency surgery to control bleeding and relieve pressure on Wolfe's brain.

'Today, we are proud to share that Staff Sgt. Wolfe has made extraordinary progress. He is now breathing on his own and can stand with assistance—important milestones that reflect his strength and determination,' Mai said. 'Based on these improvements, he is now ready to transition from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation as the next step in his recovery journey.'

Mai cautioned that Wolfe's recovery remains in an early phase but added that the progress so far gives the care team and family reason to be hopeful.

Family Response

Wolfe's parents, Melody and Jason Wolfe, called the medical care 'remarkable' and described their son's recovery as 'miraculous.' They thanked people worldwide for their prayers and said they had felt 'the result of God working with and through these amazing medical professionals,' noting the family's faith and gratitude for the clinical team.

Remembrance for Spc. Sarah Beckstrom

Meanwhile, U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the Nov. 26 attack, was buried with full military honors on Dec. 9 at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton. Gov. Patrick Morrisey called the ceremony 'incredibly moving' and said Beckstrom will be remembered for her bravery.

111th Engineer Brigade Chaplain Maj. Christopher Bennett, who presided over the service, asked attendees to reflect on the sacrifices represented by the cemetery's rows of headstones: 'As you look across these hills and out onto the rows of headstones, each stone a brick to the foundation of freedom upon which we stand today, I encourage you to remember this.' He also acknowledged the community's grief and called for comfort in the belief that justice will be served.

The hospital and family say Wolfe's next step is inpatient rehabilitation, where he will receive therapies to support further recovery in mobility, speech and cognitive function. Authorities continue to investigate the Nov. 26 attack.