Marine tankers mourn loss of crewman killed one month into Iraq deployment

Marine Corps News ^ | May 2, 2006 | Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin

[SandRat]

AL ASAD, Iraq (May 2, 2006) -- Lance Cpl. Michael L. Ford wasn’t one to keep quiet when he saw wrong doings. In fact, the Marine from New Bedford, Mass., often piped right up to correct mistakes – whether they were others’ or his own.

“He had a lot of guts. If something was wrong, he’d stand up (against) it, no matter what the situation was,” said Cpl. Robert C. Shea, a 19-year-old from Haverhill, Mass. – just an “hour and a half” drive from Ford’s hometown.

Ford, a M1A1 Main Battle Tank crewman, or “tanker,” was killed April 26, 2006 in Iraq’s western Al Anbar Province after the tank he was driving struck an improvised explosive device – a roadside bomb.

In between two 65-plus ton tanks on a paved lot at this sprawling U.S. military airbase, Ford’s unit – Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based Company C, 1st Tank Battalion – honored Ford’s sacrifice with a memorial service four days after his death.

Ford was part of Company C’s 3rd platoon, which operates with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment near the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Ford’s death was the first for the company of 120-plus Marines since they arrived in Iraq about six weeks ago. Company C will remain deployed to Iraq for at least another five months.

During the memorial service, several Marines who served with Ford shared memories of the 19-year-old, whose job was to provide route security in a tank for Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces along Al Anbar’s dangerous roads.

Lance Cpl. Nikolas A. Solana, a 20-year-old from Slidell, La., knew Ford since they attended “tank school” at Ft. Knox, Ky., in late 2004. He recalled Ford as a man who lived his life “in a way that he wasn’t ashamed of anything.”

“He wouldn’t be ashamed to do anything he wouldn’t tell his mother,” said Solana, also a tank crewman with Company C. Solana said Ford’s mother is also deceased.

Shea also knew Ford since their days together at the Ft. Knox school. He said Ford was a person who stood up for himself and kept everyone “in check.”

“We all make mistakes, but he kept his head high when he made a mistake,” said Shea, who said he and Ford were close friends and “hung out on the weekends” back in the States.

“He was a great Marine and a great friend,” said Shea.

As the song “Taps” was played, the Marines – Ford’s fellow “tankers” – saluted while lined neatly in a four-rank platoon between the two tanks. Some seemed to fight back tears, doing their best to maintain the military bearing and discipline often associated with Marines. Others simply cried.

“Commanders live their entire lives to have Marines like that under their command,” said Capt. Jarred R. Duff, Company C’s commanding officer.

Following the ceremony, Marines approached the memorial – represented by a wooden cross, M16 rifle, combat boots, Ford’s helmet and dog tags – to pay final respects and give silent prayers for their fallen comrade.

Ford, who studied culinary arts in high school, joined the Marine Corps in 2004 after watching President Bush speak about Operation Iraqi Freedom on television, according to a report from Ford’s hometown newspaper, the Standard-Times.

In his free time, Ford enjoyed reading and playing video games, according to a summary-type biography of Ford’s military career and curricular activities written by his platoon sergeant, Gunnery Sgt. Randy B. Phillips. He was also very competitive, and often tried to get others interested in playing a World War II military strategy board game.

After his service in the Marines, Ford had aspirations of becoming a police officer in Massachusetts, according to the biography.

Though Ford is survived by his immediate family in the United States – his father, two brothers and a sister – he is also survived by the more than 100 Marines who served alongside him both back at the Marines’ base at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and in Iraq.

“The loss has hit the unit hard,” said Duff. “The tank community is a very small community that is very tight within its ranks. Names are known on both coasts (in the U.S.) and gents that stay in come to know each other as family.”

Email Staff Sgt. Goodwin at: goodwinjm@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.

[SandRat]

Cpl Alexander J. McCann, a 24-year-old from Methuen, Mass, pays his final respects to fellow tanker Lance Cpl. Michael L. Ford, who was killed April 26, 2006 in Iraq’s western Al Anbar Province after the tank he was driving struck an improvised explosive device – a roadside bomb. Ford’s unit - Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based Company C, 1st Tank Battalion – held a memorial service for the 19-year-old New Bedford, Mass., native April 30, 2006 at Al Asad, Iraq. Ford was part of Company C’s third platoon, which operates with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment near the Iraqi-Syrian border. Ford’s death was the first for the company of 120-plus Marines since the arrived in Iraq about six weeks ago. Company C will remain deployed to Iraq for at least another five months. “Commanders live their entire lives to have Marines like that under their command,” said Capt. Jarred R. Duff, Company C’s commanding officer, during the service.
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin

[Darkwolf377]

Nice story for those who think here in Massachusetts we only produce commies.

[SandRat]

Rom 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

[Marine_Uncle]

This young Marine's name will not be remembered by most who are even aware of his death while serving his country. But surely most of us will remember what he stood for, what he believed in and how he served with honor. May he now rest in the bossom of his creator.

[LeoWindhorse]

with all due respect ....how does an IED take out an Abrams???
I thought even opposing T-80's cannot take out an M1A2 .
Are the terrs using 5 tons trucks to place super IED's now?
geez....I hope not.

[bnelson44]

he is also survived by the more than 100 Marines who served alongside him both back at the Marines’ base at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and in Iraq.

Amen. Go with God.

[Lion Den Dan]

I am saying 10 Hail Mary's for this hero. I have to ask, did he or his family vote for Kennedy or Kerry?

The answer does not alter his heroism or sacrifice, it only illuminate the mind set that retards toltal victory.

[SandRat]

Maybe he had his head sticking out of the driver's hatch and schrnel got him????

[rattrap]

It may have went off under the tank, armor is very thin there.

[skyman]

Correct me if I'm wrong but some of the newer generation of IED's are multple charges that are "shaped" and can go through almost anything especially the bottom of a tank that doesn't have as much armor as the front.

[LeoWindhorse]

just damn!...time to up-armor the underneaths

[llevrok]

IMHO,

the best we can do to remember this Marine, and others KIA, is to clean up Iraq ruthlessly, quickly and stop playing patty cake with the insurgents.

[Darkwolf377]

I have to ask, did he or his family vote for Kennedy or Kerry? The answer does not alter his heroism or sacrifice, it only illuminate the mind set that retards toltal victory.

Why is it even of the slightest importance? Do Kerry and Kennedy voters who are over there not fight as hard?

I find the question slightly offensive, actually. Just because one lives in Massachusetts doesn't mean one votes for either of them, and I see zero evidence that heroes who happen to vote Democrat don't fight as hard over there.

[Jeff Gordon]

with all due respect ....how does an IED take out an Abrams?

The killed driver was driving with the driver's hatch open.

[glorgau]

Yep, bottom armor I'd bet. The tanks can't have the same protection in every arc - they'd be too heavy. Surprised that it didn't get others of the crew if it penetrated the crew compartment.

[LeoWindhorse]

projected weather this week for Baghdad :

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

95°F / 75°F 96°F / 76°F 100°F / 77°F 102°F / 76°F 99°F / 76°F 103°F / 76°F
35°C / 23°C 35°C / 24°C 37°C / 25°C 38°C / 24°C 37°C / 24°C 39°C / 24°C
UV: 8 (Very High) UV: 10 (Very High) UV: 10 (Very High) UV: 10 (Very High) UV: 10 (Very High) UV: 10 (Very Hig

[LeoWindhorse]

we need to be sending our heros lots of Sun Block

[Liberty Valance]

Lance Cpl. Michael L. Ford.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice
for our Nation, your family and the Marine Corp.

[TeddyCon]

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they've ever made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem." Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States

[Wiseghy]

Yes, I suspect some of these methods were imported from the Palestinians who have been successful against tough Israeli tanks, mainly by using shaped charges against the bottom of the vehicle. An A1 may not have had sufficient bottom reinforcement, but the sheer size of some of these bombs makes one wonder if any armor would work.

The tank has to be in the exact right position, however. The Pali's would try to lure the tanks into traps on narrow streets at very low speed.

Changing predictable tactics and ruthlessly taking out the more sophisticated bomb builders worked for the Israelis and will work for us.