Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How 'Mohammad'helped save POW: Brave Nasiryah lawyer gave Marines critical info
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, April 4, 2003

Posted on 04/04/2003 2:02:10 AM PST by JohnHuang2

An Iraqi lawyer and his family provided the U.S. military with critical information about the whereabouts of former POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch, enabling her to be rescued, according to a report on the Marines website.

The Iraqi is being identified only as "Mohammad" for his own protection.

"I came to the hospital to visit my wife," said the man whose wife was a nurse. "I could see much more security than normal."

Mohammad says he asked one of the doctors why the hospital had increased security.

"He told me there was a woman American soldier there," Mohammad said.


Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch smiles following her rescue by Special Forces

He says he then went looking for the American, who was in the hospital suffering from two broken legs and a broken arm, injuries presumably suffered during a firefight preceding her capture on March 23. Peering through the window of her hospital room, he witnessed an Iraqi colonel slapping Lynch.

"My heart stopped," Mohammad said. "I knew then I must help her be saved. I decided I must go to tell the Americans."

Mohammad, a Nasiryah resident, walked 10 kilometers to inform U.S. Marines that the 19-year-old woman was being held in the town's Saddam Hussein Hospital.

He says he approached a U.S. checkpoint with his hands high in the air.

"[A Marine sentry] asked, 'What you want?' " Mohammad said. "I want to help you. I want to tell you important information – about Jessica!"

According to the report, the Marines to whom Mohammad talked gave him instructions to return to the hospital and take note of the number of guards, the hospital's layout and other details.

After he went back to the hospital, Mohammad, as Lynch's captors discussed amputating her leg, leaned down to the prisoner and whispered, "Don't worry."

The Iraqi informant carefully recorded information about the hospital and the security forces guarding Lynch.

"I went to see the security," he said. "I watched where they stood, where they sat, where they ate and when they slept."


The Iraqi family that provided information for POW rescue.

According to the Marines report, while Mohammad was observing the security, his wife and 6-year-old child were visited by some of Saddam's security agents. The family members reportedly fled, but many of their possessions and their car were seized.

During the days he was making notes about Lynch's situation, Mohammad says he never failed to greet her each morning with "good morning" in English.

When reporting back to the Marines on March 30, he brought five different maps he and his wife had made, said the report. He was able to point to the exact room in which the captured soldier was being held. He also handed over the security layout, reaction plan and times that shift changes occurred.

Thanks to the information from Mohammad, the Marines were able to determine that a helicopter could be landed on the hospital's roof to rescue the woman. She was plucked out of the facility on April 1 and now is in a medical facility in Germany.

"Iraq is not a safe place while Saddam Hussein is in power," Mohammad said. "He kills the Iraqi people whenever he wants. I believe the Americans will bring peace and security to the people of Iraq."

Mohammad and his family reportedly have been granted refugee status. His wife says she would like to volunteer to help injured American forces.

"America came here to help us," he said. "The Marines are brave men. They have been gentle with the Iraqi people. They are taking out Saddam Hussein. For that, we're grateful."


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 507th; army; injuries; iraqicivilians; iraqifreedom; jessica; jessicalynch; lawyer; lynch; pfclynch; pow; pows; specialops; wva
Friday, April 4, 2003

Quote of the Day by PogySailor

1 posted on 04/04/2003 2:02:10 AM PST by JohnHuang2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
Sam Donaldson yesterday on his radio program was recommending she be considered for the Medal of Honor.

Until the facts are known (notice the multiple gunshot and stab wounds are not there) about her actions (if they even come close to what the Washington Post has intimated) I think this kind of talk is premature.

2 posted on 04/04/2003 3:18:35 AM PST by ChiefKujo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChiefKujo
That's the 5th time you've said exactly the same thing in a variety of threads. We've got the point, thank you.

Regards, Ivan

3 posted on 04/04/2003 3:19:25 AM PST by MadIvan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
Roger that.

Guess I feel 5-times more strongly about this then I should..."

4 posted on 04/04/2003 3:25:11 AM PST by ChiefKujo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
I love this story. I keep reading it and reading it. No Hollywood screenwriter could write anything more exciting nor a create a character so simple, yet so brave and resourceful, as Mohammed. To go back to the hospital and get all the vital intel for the Marines....amazing. Reading his colorful quotes about the events is so enjoyable. May the Gods heap happiness and success upon this man and his family, and upon all the coalition troops involved in the rescue, and of course, upon Jessica Lynch and her family.
5 posted on 04/04/2003 4:02:13 AM PST by veronica (On to Baghdad...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: veronica
veronica, this brave man saved Pfc. Lynch at great risk to himself and his family, but by telling us where she was led to the recovery of at least nine bodies who are thought to be US Armed Forces.
6 posted on 04/04/2003 4:42:47 AM PST by Catspaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
"Iraq is not a safe place while Saddam Hussein is in power," Mohammad said. "He kills the Iraqi people whenever he wants. I believe the Americans will bring peace and security to the people of Iraq."


A very brave and compassionate man; he risked his and his family's lives; a hero.
7 posted on 04/04/2003 4:46:17 AM PST by wgeorge2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: veronica
Let't hope that Lifetime channel doesn't run with the TV movie......
8 posted on 04/04/2003 5:43:06 AM PST by misterrob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
Iraqi family risks it all to save American POW
Submitted by: I Marine Expeditionary Force
Story Identification Number: 200343143531
Story by Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly

MARINE COMBAT HEADQUARTERS, Iraq (April 3, 2203) -- New heroes have surfaced in the rescue of U.S. Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch.

Under the watchful eyes of more than 40 murderous gunmen, the 19-year-old supply clerk laid in Saddam Hussein Hospital suffering from several wounds and broken bones.

As her captors discussed amputating her leg, an Iraqi man leaned to her ear and whispered, "don't worry." Lynch replied with a warm smile.

The man was already working with U.S. Marines to gain the critical information needed to rescue one of the first American prisoners of war in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Just a day earlier, the lawyer from An Nasiryah had walked 10 kilometers to inform American forces he knew where Lynch was being held.

The shocked Marines asked Mohammad to return to the hospital and note certain things. He was tasked with counting the guards and documenting the hospital's layout. Knowing the risk, he agreed to help the young woman he had seen only once.

"I came to the hospital to visit my wife," said the Iraqi man whose wife was a nurse. "I could see much more security than normal."

The man, who, for his protection, will only be identified as Mohammad, asked one of the doctors about the increased security. "He told me there was a woman American soldier there."

Together, the two went to see her. Peering through the room's window, Mohammad saw a sight he claims will stay with him for a life. An Iraqi colonel slapped the soldier who had been captured after a fierce firefight, March 23. First with his palm; then with his backhand.

"My heart stopped," he said in a soft tone. "I knew then I must help her be saved. I decided I must go to tell the Americans."

Just days earlier, Mohammad saw a woman's body dragged through his neighborhood. He said "the animals" were punishing the woman for waving at a coalition helicopter. The brutal demonstration failed to deter him from going to the Marines.

The same day he first saw Lynch, he located a Marine checkpoint. Worried he'd be mistaken for an attacker in civilian clothes, he approached the Marines with his hands high above his head.

"[A Marine sentry] asked, 'what you want?' " Mohammad said. "I want to help you. I want to tell you important information - about Jessica!"

After talking with the Marines, he returned to the hospital to gather information.

"I went to see the security," he said. "I watched where they stood, where they sat, where they ate and when they slept."

While he observed Saddam's henchmen, the notorious regime death squad paid Mohammad's home an unexpected visit. His wife and six-year-old daughter fled to nearby family. Many of his personal belongings, including his car, were seized.

"I am not worried for myself," he said. "Security in Iraq [that is still] loyal to Saddam will kill my wife. They will kill my [child]."

Meanwhile, Mohammad accompanied his friend into Lynch's tightly guarded room. She was covered up to her chin by a white blanket. Her head was bandaged. A wound on the right leg was in bad condition.

"The doctors wanted to cut her leg off," he said "My friend and I decided we would stop it."

Creating numerous diversions, they managed to delay the surgery long enough. "She would have died if they tried it."

Mohammad walked through battles in the city streets for two straight days to get to back to the hospital. His main mission was to watch the guards, but each morning he attempted to keep Lynch's spirits strong with a "good morning" in English.

He said she was brave throughout the ordeal.

When reporting back to the Marines on March 30, he brought five different maps he and his wife made. He was able to point to the exact room the captured soldier was being held in. He also handed over the security layout, reaction plan and times that shift changes occurred.

He had counted 41 bad guys, and determined a helicopter could land on the hospital's roof. It was just the information the Marines needed.

American forces conducted a nighttime raid April 1. Lynch was safely rescued. She has since been transported to a medical facility in Germany.

Mohammad and his family are now in a secure location and have been granted refugee status. He doesn't feel safe in An Nasryah, but he hopes things will improve as the war against the regime advances.

"Iraq is not a safe place while Saddam Hussein is in power," Mohammad said. "He kills the Iraqi people whenever he wants. I believe the Americans will bring peace and security to the people of Iraq."

Mohammad's wife said she wants to volunteer to help injured or sick American forces in the future.

"America came here to help us," he said. "The Marines are brave men. They have been gentle with the Iraqi people. They are taking out Saddam Hussein. For that, we're grateful."

Mohammad's family hopes to meet Lynch in the future.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/CE7BDEDE147F475685256CFD006B9F76?opendocument

9 posted on 04/04/2003 6:36:23 AM PST by SMEDLEYBUTLER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
God love 'em and may He reward them richly. Surely the compassion of God moves on human hearts everywhere.
10 posted on 04/04/2003 6:44:30 AM PST by el_texicano
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
This man deserves a BIG hookup. The amount of information gathered helped us out in a big way.
11 posted on 04/04/2003 6:57:27 AM PST by Saturnalia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
Mohammad, you and your family have done America a great service.
May God bless this man and cause him to prosper in the furture.
12 posted on 04/04/2003 7:18:44 AM PST by Valin (Age and deceit beat youth and skill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: veronica
This man walked a total of 18 miles in a 24 hour period in an area where bombs were falling to do this too. I'm glad we got he and his family out.
13 posted on 04/04/2003 7:27:13 AM PST by twigs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Saturnalia
I hope this man and his family are granted automatic citzenship and a handsome reward. He has shown that he is a true friend of America and may God Bless him and his family.
14 posted on 04/04/2003 7:33:59 AM PST by Angry_White_Man_Syndrome
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
I hope this is disinformation because that family will be hunted down and killed by SH's henchmen. Praise be to whomever gave the Marines the info but I do hope this story is mere fiction.
15 posted on 04/04/2003 7:35:40 AM PST by mtbopfuyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mtbopfuyn
Oh, I don't know! Seems that our Marines will have something to say to anyone that tries and harms this man and his family. I've read in another article that the Marines are being cheered up just having his little girl around whose always smiling. God Bless Mohammed and his family. God Bless all of our troops and allies!

May God send his judgement upon those that supported Saddam Hussein and his thugs!

16 posted on 04/04/2003 7:41:51 AM PST by MoJo2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: MoJo2001
May God send his judgement upon those that supported Saddam Hussein and his thugs!


I don't think life is going to be very...pleasent for them when sadam falls.
nasty, brutish, and short is what comes to mind.
17 posted on 04/04/2003 7:46:16 AM PST by Valin (Age and deceit beat youth and skill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson