Nick Popaditch

Nick Popaditch was born on July 2, 1967 in East Chicago, Indiana. The youngest of 5 children in his Polish immigrant, working class family, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18. Nick returned to Iraq in 2004, and was again assigned as a Tank Commander and Platoon Sergeant, this time in the City of Fallujah. Nick, now a Gunnery Sergeant, led the attack into the Jolan District, the most intense fighting of the battle for Fallujah, Operation Vigilant Resolve. For his actions against enemy forces and valor on the battlefield, Gunnery Sergeant Nick “Gunny Pop” Popaditch was awarded the Silver Star. On April 7, 2004, during an intense exchange of firepower, Nick “Gunny Pop” Popaditch was struck in the head by a rocket-propelled grenade and was blinded along with other serious life threatening injuries. After returning home, the Navy Surgeons were able to restore 8% of the sight in Nick's remaining eye. In the Spring of 2011, Nick graduated Magna Cum Laude from San Diego State University. Along the way, Nick Popaditch wrote his memoir Once a Marine. The book was the 2009 Military Writers Book of the Year. Nick and his wife April currently reside in Chula Vista. Nick is a highly sought speaker across the nation. He speaks predominately to multiple law enforcement agencies as well as schools, corporations, and churches. He serves his community as a Mentor/Instructor at the Midwest Marines Focus Program. Nick is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education. He was the GOP nominee for Congress in 2010 for California’s 51st District.