Posted on 06/30/2004 7:41:58 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan, June 29, 2004 — To many of his fellow Marines in Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Sgt. Anthony Viggiani is the ideal Marine.
In the eyes of subordinates and seniors alike, the native of Strongsville, Ohio embodies those qualities that make Marines special; dedicated, professional, strong, committed, moral, and brave. Now they have an additional quality to add to that list -- tough-as-nails.
During a recent firefight with anti-coalition militia in south-central Afghanistan, Viggiani's actions further elevated himself in the eyes of the rest of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).
When a pair of Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters spotted approximately 20 heavily-armed enemy fighters fleeing into the hills during a cordon and knock operation of a nearby village, Charlie Company immediately pursued on foot. Leading his squad over a steep, rock-strewn mountain, Viggiani was in the lead of the advance when they came under heavy enemy rifle fire.
"The rounds just started pouring in," he said later that day, "and we weren't really sure where they were coming from."
On the slope opposite the valley below him, approximately 100 meters away, Viggiani and his Marines watched as two Marines, Cpl. Randy Wood and Lance Cpl. James Gould were wounded by enemy rifle fire.
Aware that the fire was coming from the slope in front of him, Viggiani pressed forward cautiously when he and 1st Sgt. Ernest Hoopii came under concentrated fire themselves.
The 24-year-old Viggiani then found he was mere feet from the cave housing the enemy sniper still firing at Wood and Gould, who had since taken cover behind a too-small rock.
"I was able to look down a break in the rocks and saw a bit of cloth move so I got off three or four shots, and then dropped the frag (fragmentation grenade)," said Viggiani.
Combined with rifle and machine gun fire from Wood and Gould's squad, the grenade explosion silenced the enemy position which was later found to have housed three fighters.
Sometime during the fight, Viggiani was struck in the lower left leg by an enemy bullet. Seemingly unmindful of the wound, Viggiani continued to engage the enemy with rifle fire until the area was cleared and a total of four dead and one wounded enemy fighters were found.
Mere minutes after the fight, with typical Marine élan, Viggiani dismissed the wound that stained the front of his trouser leg a deep crimson.
"It stings a bit, but it's nothing," he said as he paused for a photograph in front of the cave he helped clear mere minutes after the fight.
Despite recommendations from his fellow Marines, Viggiani refused to leave his platoon and seek aid at the mobile command post. With a small dressing and a few aspirin, Viggiani shouldered his rifle and trudged further into the rugged mountains in pursuit of Taliban and enemy fighters.
Beyond all words or means of expression, I hate the mainstream media.
I ain't got time to bleed --- bump.
USMC Ping!
Semper Fi
More proof that the Marines are still making MEN out of the boys of this nation! Semper Fi!
Oh, please provide me with a link to that. I can really use that. Thanks
He's only 23, but we can make him a Congressman and/or he can run for Hillary's Senate seat!!
Mere minutes after the fight, with typical Marine élan, Viggiani dismissed the wound that stained the front of his trouser leg a deep crimson.
"It stings a bit, but it's nothing," he said as he paused for a photograph in front of the cave he helped clear mere minutes after the fight.
Ping!!
Dear God, where do we get these brave young men? Strengthen us, Father, to live a life worthy of them.
Thank you very much. The information is so much fun to post at other forums.
Wouldn't it have been great if he did a Monty Python immitation in a English accent?
"What? This? It's only a flesh wound. Now, come back here and I'll bite your nuts off"
Let me know when/where you post it. I might like to read some of that blowback! hehehehe
This Marine deserves a Purple Heart. BUMP!
Hee Hee, here is a nice spot to start. Feel free to join and participate, safety in numbers. :) http://www.sgtnmedia.net/web/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=349&highlight=&sid=bcb0360d8bf4540dc3c510ca6b8c917b
I reluctantly removed #35, because of the street address. Even though most members of this site would "want to do something good," others viewing it might not.
If you'd like to repost your message, please feel free to do so without the address. Thanks.
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