Unarmed US Marine 'in critical condition' after Kalashnikov-wielding suspected terrorist

Daily Mail ^ | 8/21/15 | MIA DE GRAAF

[jimbo123]

Unarmed US Marine 'in critical condition' after Kalashnikov-wielding suspected terrorist on board high-speed train between Amsterdam and Paris.

An unarmed US Marine who ambushed a Kalashnikov-wielding gunman on a train between Amsterdam and Paris is in critical condition, according to French media reports.

The serviceman, who has not been named, was one of two Americans who tackled the 26-year-old Moroccan national to the ground after hearing him load up a gun in the toilet.

In the scuffle, one of the Marines was shot and another stabbed. France Info reports one is in a critical condition.

Addressing reporters at the station in Arras, northern France, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said: 'I would like to express our gratitude to and admiration for these two American passengers.'

He added: 'Thanks to the calm composure of the two American passengers, we have avoided a tragedy. 'Without them we would have face something terrible.'

[luvie]

Their ears are really tuned to the sounds of guns being loading. Wow!

Prayers for their full recovery! Ooo-rah!

[Chgogal]

Well done, Marines! Prayers to them and their families.

[frog in a pot]

That's what I call having your head in the game.

Bingo.

I am betting they had him made before he even entered the bathroom. He looked the part, was carrying somewhat of a load and he probably appeared a bit nervous. They followed him and the noises they heard confirmed their concerns. Situational awareness of the kind I teach my sons.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Farther down the thread it’s mentioned they were Embassy Guards. Those guys are specially trained, and Condition One 24/7. I’d bet they had this guy on their radar the moment they saw him.

[rlmorel]

I agree. And in today’s world, they have to be. But I do know it is a plum assignment.

There was a great book I read a while back called “Last Man Out” about the Marine detachment at the US Embassy in Saigon.

Frickking guys were crazy. As things were collapsing around Saigon, one of the Marines from another smaller diplomatic facility about 20 miles from Saigon came in, and when asked, had said they didn’t have time to take the flag flying above the embassy down. A couple of the Marines got a civilian guy with a Huey to fly them over, and as they approached the facility, it had been taken so recently that the American flag was still flying, and in the courtyard below nearby, there were a boatload of NVA tanks parked, and the crews were clearly relaxing and eating a meal.

These sick guys swooped in right in full view right on top of all these NVA, one of the crazy Marines out on the skid, while the other guy held onto his belt, and the pilot got right up close, and he cut the flag away with his KBar while the NVA all ran around like hornets who had a rock thrown at their nest!

The bullets were whizzing by as he cut the flag loose and they flew away. Just amazing. I may not have some of the details right since it was a while back when I read this, but that is what I remember!

Embassy guards!

[Tijeras_Slim]

I enjoyed that book too.

[luvie]

Proud of our guys! I hope they live to see a medal or two. From another _resident than this so-called one.

[rlmorel]

It is easy to feel like America is screwed, and we have gone soft...and then you read about men like this and think: As long as we can produce men like this, we have a chance!

[smokingfrog]

God Bless him!

Prayers up.

[nicepaco]

What bravery! Thank you Marines.

[rlmorel]

LOL...did I get that passage right???

[Scarlet7]

Prayers for these two heroes.

[Tijeras_Slim]

It’s been a while here too.... :D

[Romulus]

We’re not the ones who pay fighters with women, remember?

You better find out what “ingenue” means.

[Cementjungle]

Decades ago, when I was a teenager bumming around Europe on the train, we had just crossed into Germany. I was going through the cars looking for the snack car when I came accross a Moroccan guy getting beat up by 2 German cops who had gotten on to check papers. The guy asked me if I spoke any French, so I said yes. Then he asked my to tell the cops that he was with me... I said “sorry” and just kept going.

[thorvaldr]

semper fi

[Restore]

Can you say "Croix de Guerre"?

[robowombat]

So will those wounded receive the Purple Heart and will all get the ‘Soldiers and Sailors’ Medal’ (which would seem to be appropriate in the circumstances). Or will they be given the ‘War on Terrorism’ campaign medal and combat decorations for closing with and armed enemy combatant. Since none of the marines were armed and the muzzy was heavily armed that would seem to merit the ‘Silver Star’ to all. Of course not, this was just an unfortunate domestic criminal incident that these marines got involved in rather than letting the French police and railway employees sort out. This makes me sick on my stomach. These men should be personally decorated by the Pres with the Sec. Navy and CMC present. Those on their feet at the White House and those wounded at Bethesda. The Prez should make a high profile statement lauding their courage, saying it reflects the high name and history of their service and calling on regular Americans to note their actions and when danger's hour strikes to imitate their actions and display similar courage as none can say when and where an Islamacist terrorist will strike. Of course that scenario is as likely to play out about as much as me becoming Miss Universe.

[samtheman]

The suspected terrorist had at least six full magazines of ammunition holding almost 200 rounds.

And probably a koran or two.

[robowombat]

‘I would like to express our gratitude to and admiration for these two American passengers.’

You douche, they are US Marines who were in transit on your rail system.