Posted on 03/17/2005 12:03:17 PM PST by mdittmar
In the early morning hours of April 9, 2004, a Marine sniper and his spotter crawled on top of an abandoned oil storage tank in Lutafiyah, Iraq. Their mission was suppose to be routine as they covered their squad's patrol movement through the small town during the Arba'een pilgrimage.
As it turned out, however, the mission was one that will go down in the volumes of Marine Corps history.
Staff Sergeant Steve Reichert, 25, a scout sniper with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Medfield native at the center of the action that day, was recently awarded one of the Corps' top medals, the Bronze Star with a combat 'V' for valorous action.
The 1998 Medfield High School graduate spends his off hours firing at targets with his M82A3 .50 caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle.
During this particular mission, Reichert settled himself in a very exposed position - though he was able to prop up a few steel plates on some sand bags. He and his spotter occupied that position well knowing they were extremely vulnerable to enemy fire.
"I didn't really think about it at the time," said Reichert. "But when we heard the 50 cal rounds impacting the oil tank we took what little cover there was."
As the patrol moved toward the town, Reichert observed a dead animal located in their path. It was then when he recalled his training in enemy tactics, techniques and procedures for improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and made radio contact with the patrol leader to redirect. The patrol leader radioed back to Reichert and confirmed his suspicion that two wires were leading out of the dog carcass.
"We encountered IEDs daily," said Reichert. "The IED that the squad came up on was in a dead animal, and with my spotting scope I could see the slight reflection of the wires coming out of the animal.
Despite the squad's preventive measures, the situation turned treacherous.
An RPG was fired at the Marine patrol and seconds later enemy machine gun and small arms fire pinned them down, according to Reichert. The Marines couldn't effectively engage the enemy machine gunner on the rooftop of a nearby building so they radioed to Reichert on the oil storage tank. He took one shot and missed, then made the proper wind and elevation calculations to make his mark. A moment and a trigger pull later, Reichert took out the gunner.
In the after action report, the platoon leader made a remarkable account, that Reichert made the shot from 1,614 meters - approximately a mile away. His accuracy was the deciding factor in the outcome of the firefight.
Soon after, a few insurgents began to climb a set of stairs on the backside of the building where the firefight was taking place. Reichert aimed into the brick wall where he thought the men were and fired.
All three of the men dropped. Reichert's armor-piercing round penetrated the wall and killed one man -- possibly wounding the other two with bullet and brick fragmentation.
"I was concerned about my Marines making it out of there in one piece," said Reichert. "And at the same time I was loving life. I was outside of the gunmen's range, but they were within my weapon's range, I guess I could compare it to shooting ducks in a barrel."
But the parlor game atmosphere proved to be more difficult than he had expected.
"I could see that the two Marines got separated (from the platoon) and saw that a small group of insurgents were maneuvering into position to ambush the Marines. Once they stopped moving I shot one; the other two ran."
Reichert looks back at his mission as a learning experience - not only for him, but for others who follow in his footsteps.
"I've learned a few lessons in life that I think helped me along the way," said Reichert. "Never quit, no matter how tough life can get."
What a marine.
Wow
I am continually amazed at how good these guys are....1600m+ with his second shot.
I love a good war story.
See TC you Marines always did waste ammo ...................;-)
1,614 meters?
Sounds like the Varmint Hunters Association is gonna have to come up with a new patch.
"Soon after, .... Reichert aimed into the brick wall where he thought the men were and fired.
All three of the men dropped..."
Not only a good shot, but can see through walls and kill three bad guys with one bullet!
Like the sniper from Saving Private Ryan...for real.
Hammer down!
The only wasted ammo, is ammo that isn't used...
Cowards!!!! Muslems ain't nothing but a bunch of p***ies!!!!
Also known as the Barrett Light .50
Got a pic of the rifle mentioned in the article, though, the 50 Cal M82?
Marine Corps gun control: "One shot, one kill" Semper Fi, Kelly
"The only wasted ammo, is ammo that isn't used..."
BIG BUMP to that!!!!
Thanks Sgt... I knew that someone would understand.
Semper Fi
-BG
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