Major. Brian “Tosh” Chontosh

From the sands of iraq

Brian “Tosh” Chontosh served in the Marine Corps from 1993 and retired in 2013. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tosh received the Navy Cross for his actions during the 2003 invasion of Iraq when he was serving with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.

Over his 20-year career, a few of his deployments included: Operation Assured Response in Liberia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Phantom Fury. His personal awards include: the Navy Cross (the nation’s second highest award for valor in combat), a Meritorious Service Medal, and two Bronze Stars with valor device, as well as numerous others.

To the hills of Colorado

In 2020, Brian founded the Big Fish Foundation (BFF), an organization with a mission "to enhance Veterans’ lives by reconnecting them to fundamental principles of service in order to reemphasize accountability towards each other through shared common purpose in a campaign to improve psychological wellness, effectively manage post traumatic/combat stress, and prevent suicide." The Big Fish Foundation became an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2021. Each year, the BFF hosts its annual fundraiser at the Crooked Butterfly Ranch outside of Boulder, CO.