SoCal resident becomes 1st combat amputee to climb Mt. Everest

LOS ANGELES -- Retired U.S. Marine Corp Staff Sgt. Charlie Lineville became the first combat wounded veteran to climb Mount Everest.

Hollywood-based nonprofit, The Heroes Project, announced Linville's accomplishment Thursday, saying he had reached the 29,029-foot summit after three attempts.

The 30-year-old veteran first attempted to climb Everest in 2014 and 2015, but each time Mother Nature stopped him. First a massive avalanche and then the Nepal earthquake.

In 2011, Linville was defusing bombs in Afghanistan when he was injured as an explosive device went off, leading to the amputation of a portion of his right leg and the loss of part of his fingers on his left hand.

During an interview with Eyewitness News in early April, Linville said reaching the peak would not only beat out personal demons but show people that disabled veterans are capable of so much more.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.