He is best known for capturing the hearts of Americans as the winner of Dancing with the Stars, and now, all who think of him also think of a hero.

"When I was 19 years old, and I saw my face for the first time after injury, I was like why?. What can I really do with this face?
How can I really live in this world? But it has really become a face people recognize and respect," J.R. Martinez said.

J.R. Martinez has become a hero for millions of Americans and thousands of soldiers by inspiring others like him.

"For me this is my way of continuing to serve. I do it with my uniform, which is my scars, and my weapons, which are my words."

Only one month into his deployment in April of 2003 J. R. was involved in an IED explosion, where three other soldiers were ejected from the Humvee and he was trapped.

He was burned on more than 40 percent of his body and went through 33 surgeries spending 2-and-a-half years recovering the hospital.

"That's where the real war began. Almost in a way, it's a war we are starting to fight on our own, and there are some to support you. But, it's a tough road. It really is."

Since the start of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq more than 50,000 soldiers have been injured.

That's enough people to fill WKU's football stadium almost three times.

"I've been given a second chance at life. And not many people get that. For me, I want to use everything I've learned to help those in their first chance at life. You never know when life could change."

Many soldiers struggle with the changes serving in the military brings.

According to a report from the Center for New American Security, every 36 hours a military member commits suicide.

When service members return home, the suicide rates are even higher.

"I don't just speak for myself I speak for all the troops."

J.R. wanted to show people you could still go for your dreams, when he auditioned for a role on the day time drama All My Children as a war veteran and acted on the show from 2008-2011.

"The land mine took a lot of things away from me, but it also gave me a lot of things. It gave me strength. It gave me courage. It allowed me to use what is fear at times as weakness but use it as a strength. I'm going to face on things instead of running away from them."

Seeking a wider audience to spread his message, J.R. went from soldier turned actor to winner of the Mirror Ball trophy on the hit show Dancing with the Stars.

One fan, Jamie Spears (military wife), said, "It's inspiring, and it's admirable to see you can overcome that kind of obstacle in the service of your country. It's admirable to see that you can be that productive with your life even after an injury."

After winning the show J. R. made a trip back to his military roots.

He met with his old unit, the 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell Kentucky.

Spears was one of the many people lined up to meet the dance champion.

She said, "We have been fortunate to hear the stories of our heroes who served in the past and were wounded in combat, so it's a privilege to be able to meet him, a survivor of war."

His unit says the ABC shows were a great way to highlight military men who suffer injuries and give them hope to be successful in the future.

Another fan and military wife, Erin Krugs, said, "Just his personality alone, he was very charismatic, and I think everyone thought his story was very inspirational."

Her husband, and Army soldier, Kolby Krugs, said, "As a leader the teach resiliency, and obviously, this guy has a lot of that and has come a long way. He fought back from injury and has done great things."

Even though the veteran is under the spotlight, he's still taking time to be an advocate for veterans of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Thank you for being a great example to us soldiers," Kolby said.

He is using his story to reach people all around the world.

Now, J.R. is beginning a new chapter in his life, Fatherhood.

He also said he wants to write a book about all of his experiences in hopes of reaching even more people.