The Thunder Run

Friend's email | David Zucchino

[TomB]

bump

[GRRRRR]

Super story, Bravery of our Military...God Bless them all.

There must be a movie made of this story...so all of America can learn of their story.

GRRRRR

[TexasCajun]

Could I just buy the paperback?

[hershey]

Even glued to Fox at the time, we only got part of the story. Fantastic post. I'd love to hear more.

[Greg_99]

Remember all the interviews they had with Perkins? He always was professional and never gave a glimpse of what was really going on

[hershey]

Right, Perkins was a pro 24/7. Remember when that small contingent of US soldiers was trapped under the bridge and the chaplain picked up the rifle and fired on the enemy? Must have been this same incident. Interesting to put the scraps of info together when you get the real deal. We have the bravest fighting forces in the world, bar none.

[SevenDaysInMay]

BTTT

[Greg_99]

I sent this to a friend of mine who's still in although working at the Pentagon. Here's his reply:

Greg,
Zan Hornbuckle was one of my scout platoon leaders in the 101st Airborne when I commanded HHC 2-187 IN. A very calm composed and confident leader, I am not surprised by his actions at OBJ Curly. We have very good folks fighting the War on Terrorism. Too bad I am stuck sitting it out in the Pentagon...

Wishing you and yours a terror free New Year,

Ian

[Prodigal Son]

Really good read. Thanks for posting this.

[Junior]

I received this in an email, too. I almost posted it, but I checked first. Good thing I did.

[AngryJawa]

Bump for later...

[Eduardo]

My thoughts as a democrat: I have no idea if anyone here cares about what a democrat thinks--so ignore my thoughts if this is for conservatives only--I think these guys are heroes--in fact I know they are--this article only proves that they are not only heroic, but the best damn soldiers in the world. My issue is, as the article puts it, why did he die? That we have to ask that question--I know I do. I support the troops--did so from the start--but I don't understand the minimalist approach to the whole thing--if this is war--then war it should be. Kill and destroy--that's why war is hell--and throughout the entire ordeal, as many Iraqi soldiers as possible were allowed to walk back to their homes because it was reported that Saddam forced them to fight. Well, who do you guys think are setting up bombs and ambushing our troops now? Should we have killed all those men walking back and laying down their arms? Well, we did not want any prisoners--why not? The problems in Iraq now are not Al Qaeda sponsored--they are Iraqi insurgents--they should have been disposed during the battlem in my opinion. It is of course, only an opinion from a complete ameteur at war strategy. Good day.

[Tony61]

Good unit commanders are able to evaluate what they are up against, and take appropriate action for any particular situation. In many cases being up agaist fanatical ragheads is more challenging than being up against a disciplined military force. MOdern day professional militaries do not typically use suicide bombers and vehicles. (WWII Japanese were the exception). When you are up against people who do not care if they die, you are in a tough fight. I am sure this commander would have not let his troops be reduced and wiped out. He had the forces, he only needed resupply. He positioned them well. They are all heros.

[Junior]

bttt

[jslade]

bttt

[Kelendrios]

Well, it has taken me some time, but here I am. I was one of the soldiers in 1-64 AR during the "Thunder Runs" into Baghdad. There is a little known story about that day. As mentioned in the article, one of the tanks in my company was disabled and caught fire. The tank was later destroyed not by grenades, though they were used, but by a main gun round of the last tank, one Maverick missile by close air support assets and two JDAMMS (spell). The real part of the unknown story is of the loader and driver of the disabled tank. I drove the 1sgt's M113 and was right behind that tank. Those two soldiers jumped into the back of my vehicle and continued the fight from the rear troop hatch with their M4 carbines. Just before we got to the release point at the airport, they were both wounded. The loader received a head wound and the driver a chest wound from AK-47 fire. We raced them to the airport and our M113 was the first onto the airport grounds from our column. Both soldiers were evacuated by helicopter and survived their injuries.

I personally thank you for your support while we were there and for your continued support of our troops that are there now.

With Best Regards,
SGT Andrew Coffman

[Kelendrios]

Well, it has taken me some time, but here I am. I was one of the soldiers in 1-64 AR during the "Thunder Runs" into Baghdad. There is a little known story about that day. As mentioned in the article, one of the tanks in my company was disabled and caught fire. The tank was later destroyed not by grenades, though they were used, but by a main gun round of the last tank, one Maverick missile by close air support assets and two JDAMMS (spell). The real part of the unknown story is of the loader and driver of the disabled tank. I drove the 1sgt's M113 and was right behind that tank. Those two soldiers jumped into the back of my vehicle and continued the fight from the rear troop hatch with their M4 carbines. Just before we got to the release point at the airport, they were both wounded. The loader received a head wound and the driver a chest wound from AK-47 fire. We raced them to the airport and our M113 was the first onto the airport grounds from our column. Both soldiers were evacuated by helicopter and survived their injuries.

I personally thank you for your support while we were there and for your continued support of our troops that are there now.

With Best Regards,
SGT Andrew Coffman

[airborne]

A long post, but well worth the time to read. Thanks. a lot of good men died for the liberation of Iraq. I hope their souls are at peace.

[KS Flyover]

My sincere thanks to you SGT Coffman and to all of the soldiers for your service to our country.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

1st Hand account from FReeper Kelendrios

Thank You for your service to our country SGT Andrew Coffman

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1047134/posts?page=37#37

KS Flyover : Thanks for the ping.