The Toughest Call
September 23rd, 2007 by Patriot
This is a MUST READ, but I caution you that you are going to go through an entire range of emotion as you read it. Some parts of the story are very graphic, but it is a story of courage, professionalism, heroism, and survival. Here's the teaser:
At dawn, the 10th Mountain Division's Alpha Company headed out on a mission. Lt. Billy Mariani, the unit commander, noticed something about his troops.
"There was definitely a sense of uneasiness. There was an air about them of, you know, maybe something was going to happen," he said.
…
Then came the big guns. Volleys of rocket propelled grenades rained down. The Afghan National Army pickup exploded. Two of the Afghan soldiers died.One RPG skidded past Lt. Mariani's vehicle. All of the vehicles had to quickly get out of the "kill zone." But before they could get to safety, two rockets hit Pvt. Moss' Humvee.
Staff Sgt. Eric Wynn, 33, the soldier in the front passenger seat, felt one slice through his face. Moss remembers the truck practically lift up. He was thrown up against the Humvee and then moved to return fire.
"I smelled something smoking and I looked down … and I was smoking," he said.
Wynn turned to tell Moss where to fire and saw the tail fins of the RPG sticking out of Moss' side.
I would ask that you keep SPC Channing Moss in your prayers and please contact anyone you can to do the same. I say Specialist because AKO lists him as one. ABC probably screwed up.
Posted in Doing Great Things, Military Perspective
Patriot, this is one of the most amazing stories that I have ever read. I just told one of my young Soldiers that he was a member in a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, being in the Army. This story, epitomizes this. Each of these men, a hero in their own right, were willing to give their lives so that another, one of their Brothers could live. There simply are no words that say it better than Spc Moss. Army Strong. To all those who serve, all those involved in this incident, and to Spc Moss, You have my respect, and you have my heartfelt prayers. May God smile on you all.
I have a story going up tomorrow at ASM about Specialist Moss and the situation that almost cost him his life 3 times that day last year. After reading the story about him on ArmyTimes, and watching the video, last night that they have over there, I was in tears. I immediately set down and wrote the story and scheduled it to post tomorrow morning. What an amazing story.
I forgot to add, that Army Times explains the discrepancy about Spc Moss's rank. When the incident occurred, he was just out of Basic Training and AIT about 9 months and was still a PFC. He's since been promoted.
What can I say, this is a "Band of Heroes". I am talking of the living, breathing, flesh and blood type. Patriot, thank you, for sharing this story.
Grumpy