The battle of Fallujah (first-hand account embed, well worth the read but not for the young)

Ledger-Enquirer.com | ^ | Nov. 24, 2004 | Tom Lasseter

[Born Conservative]

bttt

[No Longer Free State]

Deserved battle streamers shall be added to the Unit Colors for Falluja , I have no doubt.

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but streamers are added for campaigns, not battles. Desert Shield & Desert storm were designated as two separate campaigns, so those units got two streamers, for example. If I understand the system correctly, every unit that fights in Iraq will be entitled to one banner -- Iraqi Freedom. Those who fought/will fight in Afghanistan will get one for Enduring Freedom.

The military is intentionally trying to keep things like campaign streamers and ribbons to a minimum in order to prevent the image that we're doing this for glory (and that we're not rubbing it in to our vanquished foes). There are good reasons for doing so, but it does prevent units like the one depicted in this article from being fully recognized for some of their efforts.

[TexasCowboy]

Thanks, Maigrey!

That is an excellent read!

This is the blood and guts of warfare being fought in the only way a war can be won - with boots on the ground.

I used to worry about effects of the PC contamination on our troops. I don't anymore.
They're cut from the same cloth as American soldiers have always been cut.

God, how I love 'em!

[Odd John]

man you have hit the nail on the head here!!
Conventional war is becoming obsolete.
We have to come up with radically different ways to solve security problems. I think any study of conflict in the last 50 years will show that we are now in a dead-end.

we need to spend the time,money and manpower in not allowing things get to conflict stage in the first place.
An example being -how did Saddam get militarily powerful?
Or why is there radical terrorist Wahabi-ism in Saudi Arabia?
I think that something down now could have a real impact in ten or twenty years time. After all we have the technology!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

No question about it.

I don't know how someone could read this story and not be amazed by the bravery and determination of the courageous individuals serving in our nation's Armed Forces.

[Jeeper]

During the battle of Aachen, Germany, the first German town the US fought in during WWII, we rolled in 155mm self-propelled guns and fired point blank into buildings where German troops were firing. The buildings were leveled, one by one. This was so effective, the captured German commander complained bitterly that the tactic was unfair, we laughed at him.
I have to ask, after reading this story, why aren't we doing this now? Simply destroy any structure being used by the terrorists, period.

[TheCrusader]

"I have to ask, after reading this story, why aren't we doing this now? Simply destroy any structure being used by the terrorists, period."

After reading about the incredible bravery and toughness of our troops I'm almost afraid to answer, but if I had to guess my reply would be that we've lost our collective common sense to political correctness. In WWII we didn't care what anyone thought, the plan was to win as quickly as possible and save American lives whenever possible. I trust that the two atom bombs we dropped on Japan would tend to lend credence to my theory, as well as the firebombing of Dresden.

[conservativeimage]

I love the military. I love the people and the vehicles. I wish... I hope I get to befriend a soldier in the future. Great Story. Thanks Chick.

[Thebaddog]

Get it up and read it, sir. It's a great story and our guys are treated fairly by the author. Sean Sims is one of us in spirit. My kids sleep safe because of those guys.

[Graybeard58]

I read it. All brave men and women.

Read about my personal hero at:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282017/posts

[Thebaddog]

You da man. Happy Holidays to you and your son.

[Ben Chad]

bump for later read

[texasbug]

Thanks for posting the link to my blog. Cpt. Sean Sims was a friend of mine and I will miss him very much. As for the reporter who wrote the article above, I know Sean liked him and trusted him and he has been in personal contact with Sean's family. Tomorrow are the final services for Cpt. Sims - please keep his family in your prayers.

[Phosgood]

B-52s; B-52s, the hell with this bayonet tactics!

[RaceBannon]

bump

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks so much for posting this...
I know it isn't easy to read..
But everyone should!
God Bless our Military...
My God, we are free because of them...
and those like them who have gone before..
We have NOTHING to complain about...
What can compare to this?
Who among us civilians, has ever given so much?
God Bless you, FMC...
Please put me on your PING list...
God Bless you, Troops!
Thank you for your service and sacrifice...
May Godspeed you home to us..
Ms.B

[fire_eye]

I don't understand it either, and if it were one of MY kids fighting in that schumerhole I'd be so infuriated with Bush and with the military for not just pounding it into sand from the air with B52's... I'm not sure I'd be able to stay out of jail.

If in fact we really are sacrificing American lives there just for the sake of political correctness to avoid the "P.R." problem we would supposedly encounter if we just reduced Fallujah to rubble, *somebody* is criminally negligent - and I won't except Rumsfeld or Bush from suspicion.

[gibsosa]

ping

[newsgatherer]

wow, tough read, but, a great post. Thanks

[Former Military Chick]

I am glad you enjoyed it, but, I must confess my beloved came across it, I only posted it. It is a great read though.

Enjoy your day.