Melissa was born a patriot and was commissioned into the US Army in 2002.
After being deployed to Iraq in 2004, she became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat, when her vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. She was honored with a purple heart and a bronze star and made a promise not to let losing a leg slow her down.

4 years later she became the first Iraq war Veteran to qualify for the Paralympic games, competing in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics where she was selected to be the flag bearer for Team USA.

2008 Paralympian

Amazing Mentor of the Year- USOC in 2008

Pat McDonald Female Athlete w/ a disability of the Year in 2010

Inducted into Buffalo Battalion Hall of Fame

Gunther Ghel prosthetic residency project

Presedential delegate for the Vancover Paralympic Games

Paratriathlete of the year

Paratriathlon World Champion

ESPY nominee for best female athlete with a disability in 2011

Paratriathlon National Champion in 2011

Paratriathlon World Champion

Achillles GM military award recipient
Paratriathlete of the year

USAT Inspirational Comeback Award in 2012

Champion of Change for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move w/ dare2tri

Adaptive Adventures ‘freedom through mobility’ award

Named on MSN list of Most Inspiring Athletes Ever in 2012

Paratriathlon National Champion on 2012

Paratriathlon World Champion 2012

Recited the Pledge of Allegiance at Pres Bush Library Dedication in 2013

Paratriathlon National Champion

Paratriathlon silver medal, World Championships in 2016

Wilma Rudolph Courage Award (Womens Sports Foundation) in 2016

Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award in 2014

2015 Paratriathlon bronze medal, World Championships

2016 Paralympic Bronze Medalist

CAF Exceptional Athletic Performance

ROMP Freedom through Mobility Award in 2016

Excellence in Sports Leadership Award in 2017

U S Olympic Endowment General Douglas MacArthur award in 2019

Angel City Sports Angela Madsen Award in 2021

Presidents Council of Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (2023-current)

US Olympic and Paralympic Commissioner (2022- present)

USA Triathlon Womens Committee chair (2014- present)

USAT Foundation (2014- present)

Chicago ADA Steering Committee (2014- 2016)

Amputee Coalition of America Peer Visitor (2005-present)

Mideast Triathlon Council (2013- 2014)

WWP Board of Directors (2005-2014)

USAT level 1 certified coach

Co-founder of dare2tri

Blade Runner organizer

Guiness World Record holder for the 2022 Boston marathon