Posted on 03/16/2002 8:10:46 PM PST by USNBandit
Guys,
I apologize in advance for the lengthy e-mail, but I have just gotten back
from Neil's funeral. There were over 1,000 people in attendance and
needless to say, it was moving. I had the opportunity to speak with several
individuals, both in the Teams and in the Agency, who were in country at the
time of Neil's death and who had also viewed the Predator video as well as
another video. The following is merely a sanitized compilation of the
conversations I had and tid-bits from Fitz's eulogy. The usual disclaimers
apply and there is some stuff I need to leave out. And I know I will not do
the story justice, nor could I ever hope to.
Supposedly...as the helo was on final, it came under fire. An air-crewman
fell off the back ramp and was dangling by his tether. Neil reached down to
pull him back in. An RPG hit the nose of the helo (didn't explode) and the
pilot subsequently made an evasive maneuver. Neil tumbled out (the
air-crewman may have also mistakenly pulled Neil out while Neil was trying
to recover him or that may have not even of happened - doesn't matter -
bottom line, Neil fell from about 10ft and was on the ground alone). It is
unclear as to whether or not the guys on board the helo knew that they lost
a man. Helo peeled away, developed hydraulic problems, and crash-landed
about a click away.
Neil turns on his beacon and low crawls to a position under fire. Neil
takes the offensive, firing and maneuvering against the enemy and allegedly
storms a machine-gun nest. Neil was shot several times, but continued the
fight. Apparently, the Predator video shows the mortal wound and Neil falls
to the ground (~an hour after he fell from the helo). He had expended all
of his ammo, both primary and secondary, as well as his grenades. The video
has Neil point shooting with his pistol at very close ranges to the enemy.
He was dead by the time the enemy arrived and dragged him off. Not sure on
whether they intended to use Neil's body as a decoy for an ambush or as a
bargaining chip or for another Somalia street dragging episode. Doesn't
really matter.
Then the boys came. The force was a mix of operators and arrived about 2
hours later. As they expected, they encounter significant hostile fire, but
returned fire immediately. Apparently, a lot of undisclosed heroics
occurred that night and there was significant payback (and I mean
significant). Several of our brothers were wounded, two of which were flown
back to CONUS (one of whom may lose a foot). People are talking CMH level
heroics - we'll see. After fierce fighting and a valiant rescue, Neil's
body was recovered, as were the other dead, and all were evacuated.
Payback has continued in various ways and that is the stuff I can't go into.
But rest assured, what comes around, is going around.
Neil went down fighting and took many of those @^%$ with him (an unconfirmed
number). The ridge upon which he died is now called Roberts Ridge. He was
post-humously awarded the Bronze Star with a V and a Purple Heart. Neil is
now SpecOps folklore and a legend in the Teams for the rest of eternity.
Neil also left a wife (Patty) and an 18-month old son (Nathan). I believe
Patty intends to move to Pennsylvania to be with her family (and as of this
afternoon, Neil will also be in York, PA).
Guys, I hope this helps - it has been cathartic for me, especially after the
press has royally screwed this one up (as expected). In the near future,
several of us who knew Neil and his family plan to work on the scholarship
fund to ensure that Nathan has anything he needs. More to follow on that-
By the way, when I was a meat, Neil made me read his favorite book: To the
Last Cartridge by Robert Barr Smith. It is an incredible read about heroics
in battle.
Neil also left a wife (Patty) and an 18-month old son (Nathan). I believe Patty intends to move to Pennsylvania to be with her family (and as of this afternoon, Neil will also be in York, PA).
The LORD God of Israel bless and comfort all who mourn. May his children grow up like righteous trees to honor his memory.
Anybody else?
I had heard the other day that he took out a machine gun emplacement with his pistol but wasn't sure if it was true or not.
I guess even when you think you have more ammo then you could ever need there may come a time when even that isn't enough.
No wonder they didn't bring sleeping bags with them.
This email passes your smell test I assume.
Keep me posted on the fund Ern.
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
Americans
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