Posted on 11/03/2004 7:31:02 PM PST by SJackson
CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq (Nov. 1, 2004) -- A rifle-mounted scope designed to enhance enemy visibility on the battlefield saved the life of a Marine during a Sept. 17 firefight on the outskirts of Fallujah, but not the way intended.
Sgt. Todd B. Bowers, a member of the 4th Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, spotted enemy snipers during a security patrol outside the restive town of Fallujah. While returning fire, a sniper-fired round hit Bowers’ advanced combat optical gun site, mounted on his M-16A2 service rifle. Fragmentation from both the ACOG and the bullet were peppered across the left side of Bowers’ face.
“It was about a four-hour firefight. Bullets were flying everywhere, and as I returned fire, it felt like my weapon blew up,” said Bowers, 25, a native of Washington, D.C.
A Navy corpsman removed a piece of fragmentation and applied a pressure dressing to his left cheek.
As the corpsman began calling for a medical evacuation, Bowers refused and kept on fighting alongside his fellow Marines.
“After he was cleaned up, I knew he would be okay, but I was surprised that he didn’t want to leave on a medical evacuation,” said Sgt. Jung Kil Yoo, a member of 4th CAG.
Small pieces of fragmentation can still be seen on the left side of his face.
“Luckily, I had my ballistic goggles on to protect my eyes, without them I probably would not be able to see out of my left eye,” said Bowers.
He can still see the bullet lodged in his scope, which was given to him by his father, John Bowers, two days before leaving to Iraq.
“The last time I saw my dad was the day he handed me the scope,” said Bowers.
His dad was a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, who didn’t want to see his son go into combat without a useful piece of gear.
“The ACOG was the best purchase I have ever made in my life,” said John to his son during a phone conversation.
Bowers’ heroism and loyalty to his unit impressed even those who knew him well.
“I knew he was a good Marine,” said Yoo, 28, a native of Neptune, N.J. “Where some would freeze up, he stood his ground and continued to press forward.”
“Sgt. Bowers was able to keep a cool head about the whole situation,” said Lance Cpl. James J. Vooris, 20, a native of Albany, N.Y., and a combat photographer with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 1.
With all that was going on around him, Bowers did not have time to stop and think about what happened.
“I didn’t realize how lucky I was till later that day when I sat down to think about it,” said Bowers.
As a constant reminder of how the scope possibly saved his life, Bowers plans to keep the scope and mount it on his mantel when he returns home.
“It’s (the bullet) there and I am glad it stayed there,” said Bowers as he pointed to his ACOG still mounted to his weapon.
Bowers, who has been in Iraq since August, is currently serving a seven-month deployment, his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Damn I looked at yer current moniker this AM and wondered if ya was Chookter and said.........hmmmm no pipes listed. Ain't him !
I do prefer iron sights but my old eyes like the optics these days of chasing bunny's & rabbits !
Nice to hear from ya albeit I'll have to cut and past yer new name there Bro !
Stay Safe !
I'll have to lay hands on an EOtec and give it a try . Sounds good. Been playing with our heroines Thompson Contender with the Burris 2-12X LER tool lately. Great little CCWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww rig !
Stay safe !
God, works in strange and wonderful ways:
"He can still see the bullet lodged in his scope, which was given to him by his father, John Bowers, two days before leaving to Iraq."
“The last time I saw my dad was the day he handed me the scope,” said Bowers."
"His dad was a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, who didn’t want to see his son go into combat without a useful piece of gear."
“The ACOG was the best purchase I have ever made in my life,” said John to his son during a phone conversation."
I think you'll have a fight on your hands if you think SGT Bower is going to willingly give up that shot-up ACOG to some museum somewhere. You might have a fight with his entire regiment too :)
Let me know what you hear. If they replace it for him, they're smart. If they don't, you can put me down for $200.00 toward the cost of a replacement. Freepmail me with PayPal info or a mailing address if it comes to this.
As the marine dad who bought that scope for his son said, "The best investment, he ever made!"
Who makes the Aimpoint 5000M, and what does it cost?
Thank The LORD!!!!
AMEN TO THAT!!!!!
Yeah,One For Each Fragment!!!
I'll bet the manufacturer of this ACOG would send a free replacement for being able to use this story in their advertising.
Now THAT was a great father-son "go to war gear" gift!
I'll bet the names got your attention! "John Bower" got mine!
Amazing. God be with them all.
Thank the Lord.
Follow up and see if they will make good.
I will be glad to help get that lad a new one with ya (as I am sure would another couple of dozen folks here)
This machine pistol fires the new 4.6 X 30mm, which has a velocity of 2,460 FPS. The foregrip folds down, and the stock extends to make it a mini-carbine. According to the Marine magazine article, it will be issued with a reflex sight. It's 14.9 inches long with stock retracted, and weighs 4#, mostly made of carbon fiber / polymer with metal inserts.
This will be a huge upgrade for guards and security forces!
Interesting. Is there any more info or photos available?
Looks like they have discontinued that flavor or have renamed it to the ML series.....This is what I have:
http://www.aimpoint.com/o.o.i.s/68
Stay safe !
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.