First-ever combat amputee summits Mt. Everest

A Marine veteran who lost part of his right leg in a blast in Afghanistan made it to the top of Mount Everest Thursday.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charlie Linville became the first wounded combat veteran to reach the summit.

Linville's right leg was amputated below his knee after he was hurt in  2011, the Military Times reported.

"[Linville] made the climb as part of 'Operation Everest: 2016,' a team assembled by The Heroes Project, a nonprofit group that sponsors climbing expeditions for wounded warriors and active-duty soldiers," according to the website.

A news release by The Heroes Project said the group was the first to reach Everest's summit via the mountain's north face during this year's climbing season.

This was Linville's third attempt to make it to the top of the mountain. Linville previously attempted to reach the summit in 2014 and 2015, the Military Times stated. A deadly avalanche stopped his first trip and an earthquake ended his second attempt.

Another wounded veteran, retired Army Staff Sgt. Chad Jukes, is also on the mountain right now.

Jukes lost his right leg below the knee after injuries suffered in Iraq in 2006, according to Military Times.

Jukes and his team, which includes two active-duty soldiers, are expected to reach the summit next week.

That team is climbing under the banner of U.S. Expeditions and Explorations group in an effort to raise awareness for soldiers' mental health issues, the Military Times reported.