Posted on 07/15/2005 2:02:10 PM PDT by Thanatos
Media Release
256th Brigade Combat Team
Camp Tigerland
Baghdad, Iraq
APO, AE 09326
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2005
RELEASE 20050705-01
256th BCT Soldier survives sniper attack
Spc. Chris Foster
256th Brigade Combat Team PAO
BAGHDAD -- Being able to react to and maintain control of a situation in a
combat environment can be a difficult task for Soldiers. They must be able to
quickly react and assess a situation, in order to ensure their survival and the
safety of those around them.
“Stay alert, stay alive” is the reminder that is driven into the minds of
Soldiers since the first day of basic training and echoes throughout their military
careers.
This axiom was driven home for at least one Soldier on June 2.
Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic with E
Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry
Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot in the
chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.
While Tschiderer was relaying information to the truck commander of his
M114 Humvee, an enemy sniper team prepared to engage him from inside of a
cushioned silver van being used as a mobile sniper’s nest. This nest was lined
with numerous bed mattresses to muffle the sound of a Dragonoff sniper rifle
fired through a hole just big enough for the shooter to engage his target of
choice.
Tschiderer was knocked to the ground from the sudden impact of the
sniper’s bullet. The bullet only seemed to have fazed this Soldier as, adrenaline
pumping, he sprang right back up in order to take cover and locate the enemy’s
position.
The sniper was unsuccessful in his mission, due to the stopping force of
the Tschiderer’s daily wardrobe, his protective body armor, which saved his life.
“I knew I was hit, but was uncertain of the damage or location from the
hit,” Tschiderer said. “The only thing that was going through my mind was to take
cover and locate the sniper’s position.”
“The shot came from my 12 o’clock position from a silver van parked
across an intersection about 75 meters from my location.” said Tschiderer.
After Tschiderer alerted his fellow Soldiers of the enemy location, they
immediately began to pursue the terrorists.
Due to his heroic actions and quick decisions, Tschiderer located the
enemy while he took cover and alerted the rest of his team on patrol. As the
Saber team engaged and disabled the sniper’s position, two terrorists fled on
foot, leaving a blood trail that came from the wounds of the enemy sniper.
A cordon and search was immediately set up and Tschiderer assisted his
team in the search of the two terrorists. The driver of the silver vehicle was
detained by a team from B Co. 3-156th Inf. Bn. while Tschiderer and a team from
B Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, continued to follow the blood
trail which led them to the yard where the wounded sniper lay in pain.
As Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he gave
medical aid to the wounded terrorist—the same one who’d tried to take his life.
-30-
BAGHDAD -- Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic
with E Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th
Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot
in the chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.
Think this act of compassion will be on the nightly news?
Great video and accounting of our heroes. I must admit that it makes a mom was to faint to watch one of our guys snipped. Thank the Lord that he is Ok.
I don't know....one good turn deserves another....but an outstanding story non-the less.
That soldier has MINDSET!
I sure wish someone could mirror the wmv file so we can download it and save it.
I could've sworn I heard one of them....OH SH!T! when he stood up.
OK, I'm impressed. Sure wish we'd had a sound-track for the rest of the engagement. We'd have learned Arabic for "Holy sh*t, he got back up! He's coming for us! Get the h*ll out of Dodge, Abdul!"
"YEAH YOU MORONIC MOFO'S - GOD IS GREAT!"
7.62mm from 75 meters...wow.
My respect for the effectiveness of the new body armor just went up exponentially.
I know. Its all choppy on my computer(trying to stream it)... would be better if it was downloaded.
My thought is, once again, "Where do we get such men?"
It's got to be ALLELUJAH to EL SHADDAI for saving this awesome example of a US Combat Medic.
This Guy needs a MoH slung 'round his neck & a pearl in his Heavenly crown.
placemark
Chad i have DSL and still cant really view it.. it's on a horrible server! :( I can view it but it stops and stuff.. blah... need to download it.
Bump for later.
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