February 17, 1991
This is where COB6 and I were 19 years ago tonight. We were on a counter-reconaisance mission to cover Schwartzkoff’s “Hail Mary” movement to the western desert. This was a friendly fire incident about 15 clicks inside the Iraq border. It was my fire mission for 5 T-55s that went horribly wrong when a helicopter pilot didn’t believe his instruments.
After the Bradley and M113 were hit by Hellfire missiles, COB6, against the orders of our commander, pulled his vehicle off the line and rescued the crew of the Scout Platoon vehicle, pulling battered bodies out of the burning Bradley and shielding them with his own body as ammunition exploded around him.
He won’t tell the story, that leaves me to tell it for you. Two Scouts died that night, but three others lived because of COB6’s efforts.
My grandaughter was also born that night.
Category: Historical
Someday I hope to meet my coblogger.
I’ll say it again. Thank you. Thanks to all of you for what you do, what you have done and your efforts to keep good men in our radar.
thanks.
Never really knew all the details. This is painful to watch and I cannot imagine dealing with this first hand.
What a bone-chilling and amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. I will share it with the helicopter pilot in my own family.
We were just to the east of you that night. I remember hearing about this incident (not all the detail, nor have I ever seen this video) as our battalion commander used the incident to hammer home NOT to take chances…..I can’t imagine what it takes to deal with the aftermath….the families of the soldiers killed, the Apache pilot….God bless all, and a tip of the mug to COB6.
I was in 2nd ACR and we were very much aware of the incident. Kinda why I say to this day to my sometimes arrogant AF friends that jet jockeys have incredible accuracy…as long as the vehicle says US Army on the side. But I was on my way to a scenic little place called 73 Eastings, goood times. Didn’t have a great deal of time to worry about the frat fire, just knew to be careful of anything called-in danger close.
Finrod;
That was more than a week before 73 Easting. The following night, we took an artillery attack (which our counter-battery guys used as an opportunity to take out Saddam’s artillery). Then we pulled back inside Saudi Arabia (after catching a few FROG missiles).
On the 24th, we entered Iraq a second time with the main attack and relieved the 2d ACR at 73 Easting (actually at 75 Easting) on the 26th at about 0100hrs. and fought a 360 degree anti-armor battle for about 4 hours.
Holy crap!!! I was Scout in Ghost Troop 2nd Squadron. Who were you with? It is damn sure a small world.
COB6 and I were with C 1/41st in the 3rd Brigade of 2AD which was attached to the 1st ID for DS.
Doesn’t seem like it was that long ago. Big Red One, baby!
Lord, but we’re lucky God gave you to us on loan.
I’m with everyone else…where do we get such men?
I was in college/working then and I remember thinking that I would have given anything to be ‘there’ with those who still have my back…
Finally saw the video now that I’m home. Almost wish I hadn’t. John and COB6, you get down Columbia way sometime, I got some old Scotch needs drinking. We can tell lies to each other about that patch of sand.
I was assigned to the HHC co. 2nd Ad military police unit , that night we were honestly real close to these guys, I knew Middleton pretty well, He was friend with one of my friends! We were there taking the prisoners that were being taken quickly!,, After the incident happened I had the un-fortunate oppurtunity along with a couple other guys in my unit to stay with the wreckage till the Tank recovery unit came to get it! That image had never left my mind and those soilders that lost their lives and survived , are always in my heart and mind! it changed my life forever, some for the good and some for the bad! HELL ON WHEELS! stay safe Brothers!
I was in A co. 1/41 Inf. at the time I knew Talley and Middleton, not well, but I did know them. That video pisses me off every time I see it.
Sorry, the above Anonymous was me.
You might know me motor sgt, (BLACK 8) Ghost Troop 2/2 ACR Aug-89-Aug91