Modern War Heroes » convoy

Surrounded By Taliban, But He Took Them On

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:15:12 +0000

This is the face of a truly brave man. I’m sure many, when faced with the challenges he faced, would not have been able to act with the level of bravery and skill that Staff Sgt. Lincoln Dockery did.

It all started on an ordinary day in eastern Afghanistan. Dockery’s platoon had been ordered to investigate a report on a possible IED planted in the area around the villages of Kandegal and Omar. Unfortunately, the road-clearing platoon discovered the explosive device the hard way – by landing on it. The vehicle-mounted mine detector leading the convoy set the device off, causing an explosion that knocked down the dismounted troops, Dockery included. At the same moment, more than 30 insurgents opened fire on the soldiers.

Dazed from the blast, and despite heavy fire, Dockery risked his life to awaken the driver, Pfc. Amador Magana, who had been knocked unconscious from the explosion. Once Magana was awake and firing at the enemy, Dockery decided he wasn’t satisfied with merely saving the life of his comrade.

Seeing his convoy in danger from the heavy fire, he, along with Spc. Corey Taylor, stormed the enemy position, which was a staggering 75 feet up the mountainside. Not to be daunted, the two rushed upward, then crawled along – the whole way throwing grenades at the insurgents. Shrapnel hit Dockery, but he didn’t let slow him down.

Eventually he and Taylor found themselves taking shelter under a rock incline, so close to the enemy that they could hear them talking. They remained holed up there while Dockery attempted to get 1st Lt. William Cromie, his platoon leader, on the radio.

Finally they reached Cromie on the radio, but no one below could spot their position. No one knew how to reach them.

And they were running out of ammunition.

Cromie made the risky decision to take on the mountain by himself. He grabbed extra ammo and reached the two men above. Between the three of them, they were able to force the insurgents into a retreat.

Dockery received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his brave tactics against the enemy. Cromie also received a Silver Star for his actions.

I don’t know about you, but reading a story like this just gives me the shivers. Such bravery in the face of death and injury really humbles me.

British Army’s Only Female Jackal Driver

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:35:52 +0000

This woman has guts. Staff Sergeant Claire Griffiths volunteered for a six month tour in Afghanistan, leaving her 3 year-old daughter at home. While driving a Jackal, her patrol was warned that an IED (improvised explosive device) had been planted on the road. Thankfully no one was hurt in the resulting explosion.

Click here to read about Griffiths.

Bronze Star Awarded to Army Hero

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:25 +0000

Army Sgt. Justin A. Cooper didn’t think he did anything special when he rescued fellow team member Michael Brown from a burning truck during a hand grenade attack in Mosul.

“I didn’t have to think. I just reacted,” said Cooper yesterday. “In training it was always my car that was hit, so I knew exactly what to do, how to react.”

Michael Brown certainly thinks Cooper is a hero, and I would have to say when Cooper was awarded the Bronze Star (complete with a V device for valor) he completely deserved it.

On Oct. 16, 2007, Cooper and his squad were leaving the Al Rashidayah Local Police Station in Mosul when an antiarmor hand grenade exploded in their truck, according to the Army. The driver tried to push through but only traveled 15 to 20 feet before the vehicle caught fire and filled with smoke.

Cooper evacuated his squad, and heard Pfc. Michael Brown yell that he couldn’t feel his foot, the Army said. Cooper ran back into the burning truck and pulled Brown out, away from the blaze. He applied a tourniquet to Brown’s leg and helped his squad get to safety. Read on…

Family Rallies Around Their Wounded Soldier

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:25:34 +0000

This post honors not only the brave soldier who risked his life in a convoy attack, but also his family who was able to be there for him unconditionally during his long road to recovery. Capt. Alvin Eugene Shell Jr. was injured when a semi truck drove over an improvised explosive, and in the explosion spilled gasoline on the road. The gasoline quickly caught fire, and Shell found himself completely on fire while rescuing the truck driver and his sergeant. He suffered 3rd degree burns over 30 percent of his body.

It has been a long road of over 5 years of recovery. Shell feels blessed to have his family, who have all changed their lifestyles in order to be with him in his time of need.

“I think my family and my friends were pivotal,” he continued. “I couldn’t have recovered to the point I am right now. I think I would have healed — my wounds would have healed and scabbed over — but when you talk about actual recovery or you reach a point of wellness, I don’t think I would be that person today.” – Alvin Shell Jr.

Read the entire amazing account here.

“Lady Warrior” dies in battle

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:24:40 +0000

Another account on CNN.com of an inspiring woman named Lori Piestewa serving in our military in Iraq. She lost her life defending her convoy during an ambush.

The soldier, a mother of two believed to be the first American Indian woman ever killed in combat, was the pride of the Hopi Indians living in Tuba City, Arizona. In this tightknit town of 9,000, the unseasonable (snow) flurry signified Piestewa’s spiritual journey home.

“In the Hopi belief, when one is deceased, they come back home. They visit the family, their community through the moisture,” Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor told reporters after the snowfall. “And this is what happened just a while ago. So I think we were blessed today.”