American Woman is a Hero: "She Was Fighting to Death"

NewsPundit.net ^ | 4/3/2003 | Douglas Oliver

[ex-Texan]

American Woman is a Hero: "She Was Fighting to Death"

American Pfc. Jessica Lynch was wounded multiple times as she fought fiercely to defend her company from an Iraqi ambush. She continued to fire her weapon until she ran out of ammunition. "She was fighting to the death," U.S. officials said. "She did not want to be taken alive." Private Lynch sustained several wounds and finally was stabbed by an Iraqi soldier wielding a knife. One official said that initial intelligence reports indicated that she had been stabbed to death.

That was the report late breaking tonight from the Washington Post about the young American woman who was rescued by Special Operations Forces on Tuesday. (April 3, 2003)

I quote briefly from that report:

Lynch, of Palestine, W.Va., arrived yesterday at a U.S. military hospital in Germany. She was in "stable" condition, with broken arms and a broken leg in addition to the gunshot and stab wounds, sources said. Other sources said both legs were broken, and one arm. Victoria Clarke, a Pentagon spokeswoman, gave no specifics of Lynch's condition, telling reporters only that she is "in good spirits and being treated for injuries." * * *

"Talk about spunk!" said Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), whom military officials had briefed on the rescue. "She just persevered. It takes that and a tremendous faith that your country is going to come and get you." * * *

I urge every NewsPundit reader to hit the link above and read the full report. It also gives a some descriptive details about the rescue operation was conducted by a special team of Navy SEALs, Army Rangers and Air Force combat controllers.

Every American ought to stand and applaud Pvt. Lynch and our military personnel who are conducting themselves with such outstanding courage.

[ex-Texan]

Look like we have a real live hero -- Jessica Lynch !

[bybybill]

Now lets see if we can leave her alone til she wants to talk. Thank God we were able to free her from the Iraqi SOB`s, let`s do the same with the press.

[patriciaruth]

Careful. A group of people are busy trashing Jessica on another thread, and they may come over here.

So, let me say it quick: You done good, Jessica. God bless you!

[dandelion]

We are blessed by God to have soldiers like Jessica - and she is just one of many MANY valiants who fight for us. I am proud to have her among my heroes.

[GBTexan]

Careful. A group of people are busy trashing Jessica on another thread, and they may come over here.

Say WHAT?!? Where--?? Which thread?

[patriciaruth]

Same Washington Post article started it. It's a food fight over there now, with a Tomato throwing most of the food.

[GBTexan]

Just now found it. Thanks :)

[ex-Texan]

Well ... I will take the risk ...

Believe since she went apparently down in hand to hand combat after firing all her ammo and sustained very serious wounds ... I predict this Hero will be awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Bet she will get a big hug and a kiss from President Bush, too.

Freepers ... Feel free to flame away. I wear colorful asbestos shorts.

[DoughtyOne]

Special Edition Victory Series Production

The rescue of POW Private First Class Jessica Lynch has captured the attention of our nation.
This Victory Series submission is dedicated to her.

American POW Leaves Iraq After Rescue
inspiring details of the Private First Class Jessica Lynch story

By DOUG MELLGREN, Associated Press Writer

Excerpted to details about Private First Class Jessica Lynch, future recipient of the Purple Heart and possibly other medals as well.

NASIRIYAH, Iraq - An American flag folded across her chest, Pfc. Jessica Lynch left Iraq on a stretcher Wednesday April 2, 2003, after U.S. commandos, acting on a CIA tip, rescued the prisoner of war.

Lynch, a 19-year-old Army supply clerk, arrived at a U.S. air base in southwestern Germany on a C-17 transport plane late Wednesday for treatment at a U.S. military medical center.

"She's real spirited, she hasn't eaten in eight days and she's hungry," her father, Greg Lynch, said. "She wants some food."

U.S. officials in Kuwait said earlier she had two broken legs, a broken arm and at least one gunshot wound (see below for discrepancy).

Lynch was captured by the Iraqis more than a week ago after her maintenance unit made a wrong turn and was ambushed in Nasiriyah.

Following an intelligence tip about Lynch's whereabouts, U.S. special operations forces made their way behind Iraqi lines and seized Lynch from the Saddam Hospital under cover of darkness late Tuesday, American officials said.

The 507th was attacked March 23 during some of the earliest fighting in Nasiriyah, where Saddam's Fedayeen loyalists and other Iraqi fighters are said to have dressed as civilians and ambushed Americans.

Lynch fought fiercely and shot several enemy soldiers during the ambush. She fired her weapon after she had several gunshot wounds (see above for discrepancy) and kept firing until she ran out of ammunition, The Washington Post reported in Thursday's editions.

She watched several soldiers in her unit die and was stabbed when Iraqi forces closed in on her position, The Post quoted U.S. officials as saying.

An Iraqi pharmacist who works at Saddam Hospital told Britain's Sky television that he treated Lynch for leg injuries but that she was otherwise healthy. But he added, "every day I saw her crying about wanting to go home."

The pharmacist, who gave his name only as Imad, said Lynch knew the U.S. troops were on the other side of the Euphrates River and "she kept wondering if the American Army were coming to save her."

Kudos to Private First Class Jessica Lynch, for her courage under fire.

Home grown, from the heartland of the United States!

[ex-Texan]

BRAVO !!

[birdsman]

I'll admit, I've opposed using women in the battlefield. I've always felt that women weren't capable of fighting. Jessica Lynch has proven me wrong. She is truly an American hero. Let us remember that the rescue team are all heros also. Jessica Lynch and her rescuers are Americans that we can all be proud of.

[#3Fan]

Since there are freepers on the other thread that aren't calling Jessica a hero, I'll throw my two cents in also: Even though she was in a maintenance unit, she did draw her weapon and took out a few Iraqis before taken captive. And despite the ordeal she's been through she's in good spirits now. She's a hero in my book.

[Kevin Curry]

Then you need to come up with a term for a soldier who does more than defend him or herself. Superhero?

[#3Fan]

Jessica was defending more than herself, she was defending this nation. Would Susan Surandon have been in that maintenance unit or would she have tried to kill Iraqis? Jane Fonda?

[Kevin Curry]

The pharmacist, who gave his name only as Imad, said Lynch knew the U.S. troops were on the other side of the Euphrates River and "she kept wondering if the American Army were coming to save her."

The nameless, ordinary sods who rescued her? What are their names? Does anyone know? Haven't seen their names on these threads.

[nopardons]

Her escuers are the REAL heros !

[Waywardson]

Same Washington Post article started it. It's a food fight over there now, with a Tomato throwing most of the food.

That Tomato is now juiced. LOL

[patriciaruth]

Here they come!

Warning: Food fight zone ahead.

[Ajnin]

Oh crap, here we go again. Are we going to start another 500+ post thread on why women should or shouldn't be in combat/the frontlines?