Navy SEAL Fought To the Death

New York Daily News ^ | 3/22/02 | MAKI BECKER

[kattracks]

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts — shot dead and dragged off by Al Qaeda fighters March 4 — went down fighting.

Thrown from his helicopter on the first night of Operation Anaconda, the Navy SEAL found himself alone and in enemy territory, according to two new accounts, including an e-mail circulating among military personnel.

His survival instinct in high gear, Roberts — a married father of a toddler son — grabbed a machine gun from a felled commando nearby, CBS News reported last night.

He opened fire with the machine gun and a pistol on the enemy fighters around him until he ran out of ammunition.

Roberts, 32, then stood and threw all his grenades before being cut down by enemy fire.

Helpless and horrified, his commanders watched via a reconnaissance drone's camera as Roberts' valiant last stand ended with Al Qaeda fighters dragging off his body.

According to the e-mail and other accounts given to CBS News by members of the Special Operations forces in Afghanistan, Roberts' helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade that didn't explode but caused the aircraft to lurch.

That ejected the chopper's tail gunner, who dangled from the aircraft by his safety harness.

Roberts then raced to action, putting down his rifle to pull the gunner inside.

But the helicopter was jolted again, and Roberts, who wasn't wearing a harness, fell 10 feet to the ground. His helicopter left without him, apparently unaware he was not on board, the reports said.

A second U.S. chopper also came under fire, and a commando aboard it was shot dead. He fell to the ground still clutching his machine gun, and Roberts made his way over to the dead soldier to grab his guns, according to CBS News.

Last Monday at a memorial service, Roberts was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. CBS reported he is also being considered for a Medal of Honor.

[ScreamingFist]

Here's the rest of the story.

[SERE_DOC]

"Dear God, why did we have to lose such a brave man?"

We didn't lose anyone, this warrior chose his fate (not in giving his life) but rather in serving just like all who serve.

A hero? you bet, without exception or dissent from me.

Thank God that there are honorable men willing to lay down their lives for this country of ours, and damn the cowards like Clinton who know no honor.

Dissent against any war is an object choice and a matter of principal for whoever has that opinion. But again I say thank God for men like Petty Officer Roberts, and men of his caliber, (of which all wear the uniform of America's military)

[Colonel Jim]

Gods speed son!

[Freeper 007]

btt

[The Mayor]

SALUTE

FOR FREEDOM!

[astounded]

If the operational commanders were able to view this by drone camera, why were they not able to scramble some fast movers to help him out? In SEA it happened all the time - F4s helped cover isolated recon teams in the bush. Where were the gunships? If Roberts had enough time to battle al Qaeda, certainly we had enough time to get some assets in to help.

[shekkian]

I wish that was me.

[Grumpmeister]

Help me understand what was done "above and beyond the call of duty" that warrants the MOH? The man fought for his life, as he was trained to do. He didn't jump on a hand grenade and save others, or anything like that.

[Tallguy]

I think he was an Aircraft Handler. I'm not sure exactly what the rate is for that.

[HiJinx]

I don't pretend to know, but I would guess the action lasted less than 2-3 minutes...it doesn't take but 5-10 seconds to empty the magazine of an M4 (M-16 Carbine), and you can effectively employ a dozen grenades in under a minute and a half...
Even with real-time video, there simply wasn't time to respond at the command center.

[Woodkirk]

I pray that we may never forget Neil Roberts and those like him --

[meandog]

I wish the media would quit reporting that Petty Officer Roberts "{fell out}" of the helicopter (like he was some kind of clumsy oaf). It is obvious that the concussion "knocked him" from helicopter.

[Reborn]

This man IS a MAN! What an honor to have such MEN in our nation! How I weep to lose him so soon. May God bless his family, and ALL OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN who fight for FREEDOM. {tears}

[RoughDobermann]

Thanks

[Prodigal Daughter]

bttt

[eureka!]

R.I.P. hero.

This should be read into the Congressional record on the next military funding debate...

[Eaker]

A truely brave man to perform under such conditions.

Eaker

[mikhailovich]

I wouldn't be surprised if that badass JUMPED out of the helicopter! Funny thought, huh?

[Barnacle]

Bump

[Destructor]

Thank you for your sacrifice Soldier. May you rest in peace.