About as epic as it gets..........
This picture really hit home, I got to watch this happen more than once. Thanks for posting Toast!
Those Marines survived! That was in Fallujah. I read the story in a publication that I got on Ft. Bliss. I saw the video years ago, and it made me sick. When I saw that picture on that magazine, I picked it up right away. I'm so happy that they survived.
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One of the Marines that told the story said he got hit in the back below the body armor. He was still alive, but was faking dead. He was rescued by his brothers, and pulled into a Bradley or Stryker, can't remember which one. He was the one who was initially trying to rescue the other Marine.
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I'll one-up ya, ah the good old Army days (I know it's a W model, but I'm lazy and couldn't find an F model version)
Haha that actually took me a minute. I was trying to figure out the plane type and war.
I remember seeing a story about this. That Marine had to go to his side arm. I think he ran out of ammo or somehow got separated from his rifle, and had to resort to his M9 after being trapped inside of a closet. The insurgents were trying to get to him, but he was able to hold them off with it. It was a house from hell in Fallujah.
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He was a BN SgtMaj. He was going in after two of his Marines who were trapped in the house. All he had was his M9
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael Burghardt (EOD) signals his defiance after being struck by an IED. September 19, 2005. Ramadi, Iraq.
That's a cool photo. Army and Marines helping each other out.
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With respect to the picture of the wounded Marine...
note he has trigger discipline like a boss. even after taking 7 7.62x39 rounds and 43 pieces of shrapnel. Awarded the Navy Cross for the actions leading to his wounds.
For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
note he has trigger discipline like a boss. even after taking 7 7.62x39 rounds and 43 pieces of shrapnel. Awarded the Navy Cross for the actions leading to his wounds.
For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Where did you find this photo?
The bird is a Skyraider, the pilot is Commander Ed Greathouse. He shot down a MIG in a Skyraider in Vietnam.
Mr. Kasal is from a little no name town just west of us. Great photo and story. Proud of him as an Iowan and all those that have served. The trigger discipline, especially under those circumstances, is epic.
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First Sergeant Kasal was my NCOIC instructor, Sgt. at the time, at (SOI) School of Infrantry, 1992, Pendleton. Stud back then too...
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I was a submariner, there aren't many pictures of what we do/did, and what we did with teams well... ; however, this says I f'n own everything w/i 20 miles of the coast, you dig?
Love the refuel pictures. I have only ever been on the plane taking fuel. It can be a bumpy ride. re to 4th pic- I remember the feeling of looking out the windows and seeing armed escort 15s or 16s protecting us (RC135), that is a comforting feeling. (i know those are 18s)
My Men Are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story (Leatherneck Classics): Nathaniel R. Helms: 9781612511368: Amazon.com: Books
Here's a link for Sergeant Major Kasal's book on Amazon...
Seeing these pics makes me proud and sad at the same time. No service time here, but it sure brings home to me the sacrifices our armed forces make, and have made, to keep me a free man. Thanks to you all. Ron.
That's not the story I read when I saw these pics years ago. The first died from a rifle shot to the femoral, the second was gravely wounded trying to rescue him.
USS Midway - VA-25 Toilet Bomb
Skyraider "Paper Tiger" toilet.
They made Skyraider model kits with a toilet replacement bomb.
Derrick Martin needs to comment on this.
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Nothing to worry about...I had never realized there was that much flex in them. It makes sense now that I see it, assuming it's not just an illusion, but... I had just never thought of them that way. Sheesh!
Was the toilet rigged to explode or simply a blunt object that they hoped landed on some enemy soldier?
and where my GQ position was - Director Officer for Sky 1, controlling the 5" 38 cal "secondary battery" (second from left, looking out)
I have walked on the deck of two and seen three of the four in person, leaving only Iowa for me to visit sometime. These ships are so magnificent, it'd be a tragedy if they never returned to service.
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