'She Was Fighting to the Death'

Washington Post ^ | 4/3/2003 | Susan Schmidt and Vernon LoebSusan Schmidt and Vernon LoebSusan Schmidt and Vernon Loeb

[saquin]

washingtonpost.com

'She Was Fighting to the Death'
Details Emerging of W. Va. Soldier's Capture and Rescue

By Susan Schmidt and Vernon Loeb
Washington Post Staff Writers

Thursday, April 3, 2003; Page A01

Pfc. Jessica Lynch, rescued Tuesday from an Iraqi hospital, fought fiercely and shot several enemy soldiers after Iraqi forces ambushed the Army's 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company, firing her weapon until she ran out of ammunition, U.S. officials said yesterday.

Lynch, a 19-year-old supply clerk, continued firing at the Iraqis even after she sustained multiple gunshot wounds and watched several other soldiers in her unit die around her in fighting March 23, one official said. The ambush took place after a 507th convoy, supporting the advancing 3rd Infantry Division, took a wrong turn near the southern city of Nasiriyah.

"She was fighting to the death," the official said. "She did not want to be taken alive."

[piasa]

The only one I know of was the MIA pilot, Speicher.

And of course, 602 Kuwaitis, men and women.

More recently, there were two naturalized US citizens who were arrested in Iraq around 911, accused of spying.

Other than that, I don't know of any.

[Texasforever]

And of course, 602 Kuwaitis, men and women.

What is Kuwait doing about that and how is that a US problem?

[poet]

And the source for this is??? Since she was in maintenance, what arsenal did they have? a sidearm? A rifle? A bazooka?

[kms61]

Do we know that they actually surrendered? Most of the ones we saw seemed to have some pretty significant injuries. They may have been de facto "captured" without surrendering, i.e., they couldn't fight any more so the Iraqis just walked up and said you're coming with us now.

[dandelion]

God bless her. This is the American Soldier.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Purple Heart is awarded to any who are wounded in battle. She qualifies. She also deserves something for her valor.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson had some comments in last few days indicating that Speicher may have been seen (under guard) in Baghdad recently, since this war started.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Good point. Being captured does not necessarily mean that it was the result of surrendering. The accounts related so far suggest that this detachment from the 507th probably did not surrender.

[Mr_Magoo]

Makes me think that we should form an entire division of female combat troops. Might be like unleashing an enormous herd of she grizzlies.

[Nucluside]

If y'all don't mind, let's wait until the MILITARY releases her story. I'm sure she's brave, but women still don't belong in combat. If you need reasons, check with the Israelis.

[Nucluside]

If y'all don't mind, let's wait until the MILITARY releases her story. I'm sure she's brave, but women still don't belong in combat. If you need reasons, check with the Israelis.

[cartoonistx]

Bronze Star at least. Probably would be Bronze if she were a man, anyway. They'll most likely up that to a silver for such a celebrity female soldier IMHO.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

That wouldn't be such a good thing. We want the enemy demoralized and ready to surrender, not PO'd and emboldened to fight.

[MCFujiTanker]

In the Marines, truck drivers have an M-16 issued. It was reported she was driving a truck, so she probably wasn't wearing her pack and cartridge belt. I'm guessing she probably only had one 30 round magazine. It was reported that when she ran out of ammo, she was stabbed (I'm guessing that they meant bayoneted)I was a Tanker. I wore a shoulder holster for my pistol (.45), and had two extra magazines. Our Tanks had one M-16, near the driver. Army Tanks were using the old .45 "grease gun". If the account holds up, she's due a Purple Heart and POW Medal, and hopefully someone will put her in for at least a Bronze Star or higher. I'm not a grunt, I don't know how the CIB works. Semper Fi!!

[Rasputin_TheMadMonk]

Compare and contrast this with that bozo who is trying to wheedle his way out of his military commitment by claiming he is a gay contientious objector.


It's the difference between a warrior and a p*ssy.

I'm not for women in the military, but she makes me want to seriously reconsider the matter.

[af_vet_rr]

"She was fighting to the death," the official said. "She did not want to be taken alive."

I can't blame her. I had heard she went down fighting as well and was killed (and her family was probably told this - it was the reason why she was listed as MIA and not POW).

Maybe this will shut up those who think women shouldn't be in the military and belong in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant, lol.

[Nexus6]

"Lynch, a 19-year-old supply clerk, continued firing at the Iraqis even after she sustained multiple gunshot wounds"

Not only will she be awarded a purple heart, but I'm guessing a bronze star.

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

Criteria:

a. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.