Gates of Fire (Michael Yon's report on LTC Kurilla in Mosul) - MUST READ

Michael Yon: Online Magazine ^ | 8/25/05 | Michael Yon

[saquin]

[...]

About fifteen seconds later our ramp dropped. We ran into combat.

Folks who haven't done much urban fighting might take issue with the wild chases, and they might say that people should always "stack up" and do things this or that way, but men in Delta Force, SEALs and the like, all know that when chasing wild men into the labyrinth, soldiers enter the land of confusion. If soldiers don't go fast, the bad guys simply get away. Just a few minutes ago, these three guys were going "105 miles per hour," and outrunning a helicopter.

There were shops, alleys, doorways, windows . . .which to me screamed: death, death, death, death...

The soldiers with LTC Kurilla were searching fast, weapons at the ready, and they quickly flex-cuffed two men. But these were not the right guys. Meanwhile, SSG Konkol's men were clearing towards us, leaving the three bad-guys boxed, but free.

Shots were fired behind us but around a corner to the left.

Both the young 2nd lieutenant and the young specialist were inside a shop when a close-quarters firefight broke out, and they ran outside. Not knowing how many men they were fighting, they wanted backup. LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. He passed by me and I chased, Kurilla leading the way.

There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. And then LTC Kurilla was shot.

LTC Erik Kurilla (front right), the moment the bullets strike.(2nd LT front-left; radioman near-left; "AH" the interpreter is near-right.)

Three bullets reach flesh: One snaps his thigh bone in half.

[...]

Kurilla was running when he was shot, but he didn't seem to miss a stride; he did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting.

The Commander fights...

[zarf]

Frankly, this article is a depressing read.

[handy]

I sent the link of Yom's blog to USA today via email and told them I might consider becoming a subscriber again if they printed gripping, informative articles like this one. I doubt they will listen since making an army soldier look like a hero is not allowed.

Please hit Mike's tip jar if you can. Providing an income for people like Mike might attract more reporters like him.

[TomasUSMC]

No Iraqi's on patrol; a Kiowa chopper only firing warning shots allowing the perps to escape; a terrorist who was released from prison only to try to kill again; m-4 rifles that can't kill a man; first class medical aid for a terrorist.......

What's the point of having so many brave dudes on the front lines when the rules of engagement suck so bad?

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ex ACT LY!

and we don't have the TIME to be screwing around, we've got other fish to fry, Iran and Syria. Some folks think we are winning but time is the big thing. If we keep "winning" like this for another 10 or 12 years, where will Iran and China be by then?

We need to win ASAP. We beat the Germans and Japanese who had tens of millions of professional veteran troops and thousands of planes tanks and ships. Heck these guy max out with RPGs! Change the rules and go WW2 on these people.

Tagline:

[TomasUSMC]

Mr. Yon also did a live telephone call in show a few weeks back, did you catch that? How was it?

[TomasUSMC]

REAL HEROISM like that of Ltc. Kurilla so people know the QUALITY of an American Soldier- simply the world has NO MATCH to this kind of Heroes.

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Amen!!!!

[TomasUSMC]

http://www.blackfive.net/main/

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Great link.

[TomasUSMC]

"I picked up Prosser's M4. It was empty. I saw only Prosser's bloody leg lying still, just inside the darkened doorway, because most of his body was hidden behind a stack of sheet metal."

"Give me some ammo! Give me a magazine!" I yelled, and the young 2nd lieutenant handed over a full 30-round magazine. I jacked it in, released the bolt and hit the forward assist. I had only one magazine, so checked that the selector was on semi-automatic."

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Yon later wrote that he got in trouble for arming himself.

Are we trying to win this war or what? American contractors and reporters and any American for that matter, should be allowed and encouraged to carry whatever weapon they want, geeeez. Well I guess you could have exceptions, like Sean Penn.

[lwd]

bookmarking...

[Mr. Silverback]

Kurilla didn't seem to doubt it. I trust his judgement as much as I can trust that of a person I don't actually know.

[TomasUSMC]

we always seem to be reacting on their terms.

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from your:http://www.jeffkouba.com/myblog/2005/08/dissecting-gates-of-fire.html

This is just like Nam. Bullet magnet patrols. What a shame. And Yon goes on and on about the fighting continuing in Mosul. Why don't we realize that Mosul doesn't want to get with the program? That being the case, we need to start instilling more respect/fear for our troops than the people of Mosul have for the terrorists.

Lots of ways to do that, and we need to start now. We have been getting men picked off there for way too long.

And for sure we need to jail these pow's in non-airconditioned prisons. Heck the way things stand now, they blow up Americans, maybe they get captured, they go to a nice place with good food and living conditions, then get released as per Yon's latest blog.

Get WW2 on these folks.
Tagline:

[SE Mom]

Thank you for posting this...

[TomasUSMC]

Kurilla is a fine example of this latest generation of Americans. It will be hard to fill his shoes. And to think we could have lost him because that terrorist was RELEASED from custody in what appears to be a widepread policy, according to Yon.

[68skylark]

I got so many replies yesterday on so many threads that I'm sorry to say I missed this photo and caption when you posted it yesterday. I only saw it today while reviewing all my comments. Thanks for what you posted -- it's a horrible photo from a horrible scene of terrorism (or "so-called terrorism" as our friends in the MSM would say about a car-bombing of children). Nevertheless, I'm glad you posted this because it helps us remember who we're fighting, and why.

[SBprone]

Restricting stories like Mike Yon's to the Blogger/Personal ghetto is just wrong. It't a more important story than 99 percent of what I see on FR and this is the main reason I don't spend much time at FR anymore.

Gold mining at FR is not as rewarding as it used to be.

[TomasUSMC]

I have a feeling Mr. Yon's reporting will be all over FR next time he writes something. May God Watch over him and the rest of our outstandingly courageous and good troops.

[teenyelliott]

It is one thing to have a vague understanding of what our soldiers do on a daily basis. It is another to read Michael Yon's reporting.

Our soldiers are absolute bad asses. A perfect combination of Rambo and Superman.

This story is un-frickin-believable, and REALLY makes the reader appreciate the courage of these amazing men.

I apologize if some of you have already seen this, but if you haven't, read it. And then bookmark this guys page.

[SauronOfMordor]

Important stuff, especially the part on how captured terrorist was released by judge to commit more terrorist acts

[Eagles6]

I also posted this and was sent to blogger purgatory. Followiing is my comment.

"Sgt. Lama is the cousin of a very good friend. I met his parents, Dan and Connie and his sister Anna a few weeks ago. They know what this war is about. They are proud of Daniel and LTC Kurilla. Please keep them all in your prayers. Please read the entire article.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell"