WASHINGTON, DC, 30 May 2011 — Backpack journalist Carmen Gentile recounted in this video for USA TODAY how he was shot in the face with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) while on assignment in Afghanistan. Gentile, apparently not a close blood relative, has recently returned to Afghanistan to report for USA TODAY. The video of Gentile recounting his ordeal was produced in part by Bill Delano, a graduate of American University’s School of Communication and a former student of mine. A frequent assistant to my Backpack Journalism Workshops, Delano is currently on a fellowship at the newspaper. You can see the video here.