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Memories of Lost Tank's Crew Follow Marines' 1st Battalion
USA TODAY ^ | Tue Apr 1, 6:24 AM ET | Elliot Blair Smith

Posted on 04/01/2003 2:52:12 PM PST by anymouse

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To: Copernicus
How does this work? When a fighter goes down over hostile territory, rescue crews are ready to scramble within minutes. The plane and pilot are equipped with distress homing beacons and other means of communication.

It seems tanks would be at least as important and valuable.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Don't you guys have rollcall periodically?

You know Tankers have been saying some of the same things for decades! The M-1A2 is the finest tank in the world! US Tankers are as well trained as any in the world and the difference for most has been combat experience which we are getting plenty of lately. Having said that, there is a tremendous need for additional gear/weapons/logistics in regards to tanks.

I have heard from some friends of mine that in the recent sandstorm battle the 3/7 cav was literally shooting bad guys with 9mm while standing in their turrets! There is a tremendous need for additional radios that are man portable for security, Tank Commander observation/recon etc. Our guys are using captured Ak-47's for crew protection right now! Why? Hey, practice ain't like the real game!

Yes, roll call is taken. Yes, there are a number of people int he chain of command who probably failed in this - but I'm not there and I'm not going to second guess them. What their own bosses do is another matter. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes!

My explanation is that when you don't get enough dollars to train properly for eight years field craft and dealing with the little things - like weather - can slip!

Hope this helps!

TS

21 posted on 04/02/2003 9:58:08 AM PST by The Shrew
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To: The Shrew
I'm feeling pretty old and useless playing keyboard cowboy instead of standing chin down in a turret

I daresay there are people who are quietly thankful you're here and not there.

22 posted on 04/02/2003 3:34:07 PM PST by IronJack
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To: The Shrew
Hope this helps!

Yes! Roger that. Many thanks! Laughing out loud!

Semper Fi from an old Seabee!

23 posted on 04/02/2003 5:07:23 PM PST by Copernicus (A Constitutional Republic revolves around Sovereign Citizens, not citizens around government.)
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To: Copernicus
SEABEES saved my fanny on a number of occasions!

Regards,

TS

24 posted on 04/02/2003 5:42:48 PM PST by The Shrew
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To: The Shrew
In case you missed this:

Click here

Best regards,

25 posted on 04/05/2003 12:51:15 PM PST by Copernicus (A Constitutional Republic revolves around Sovereign Citizens, not citizens around government.)
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To: anymouse
Please add me to the Marine Ping. 9 years, USMC.

The 'Fog of War' is thick and sometimes inpenetrable. May the Almighty grant we lose no more to accidents, or any other cause.

26 posted on 04/05/2003 12:54:23 PM PST by LibKill (Nuke Berlin! Better late than never.)
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To: Mind-numbed Robot

The moon was not out, it was the darkest night with no light, there was rebar hanging off the side of the bridge as Iraqis were sabotaging infrastructure, they had gone 96 hours without sleep in the attempt to “race to Baghdad.” All which the incident report suggested caused their deaths.


27 posted on 05/22/2019 10:57:58 PM PDT by debm29palms (Proud Wife of SSgt. Donald C. May, Jr. KIA March 25, 2003)
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To: nonliberal

How would you know what happened on the bridge? I’m holding an incident report in my hands.

There was most definitely a sandstorm that prohibited the crew’s disappearance from being announced.


28 posted on 05/22/2019 11:00:45 PM PDT by debm29palms (Proud Wife of SSgt. Donald C. May, Jr. KIA March 25, 2003)
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To: Copernicus

They fell into the river. The company kept going to meet at their next check point. Crews on the side of the river found a seabag belonging to one of the crew floating and grabbed it. They thought it just got hit off the top of the tank on the commotion. They threw it on the back of their Jeep. Then a sandstorm started. They announced the missing crew over the radio and the guys who had the sea bag spoke up. They went back to the bridge and stood there and looked over. They could make out that the tank, upside down, in the water.


29 posted on 05/22/2019 11:04:35 PM PDT by debm29palms (Proud Wife of SSgt. Donald C. May, Jr. KIA March 25, 2003)
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To: debm29palms

I’m SSgt. May’s WIDOW.

I’m holding the incident report.


30 posted on 09/26/2019 5:55:52 PM PDT by debm29palms (Proud Wife of SSgt. Donald C. May, Jr. KIA March 25, 2003)
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To: debm29palms

Mam, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your husband’s service to our nation and my deepest sympathies to you for your loss.


31 posted on 09/26/2019 6:07:40 PM PDT by Typelouder
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To: debm29palms

My deepest condolences on your loss. Thank you for YOUR service.

Warmest regards,


32 posted on 05/01/2021 2:26:37 PM PDT by Copernicus (California Grandmother view on Gun Control http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7CCB40F421ED4819)
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