I know this is random but coming from a military family I believe it is important to learn about the boys out their defending us. Today is the 24th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu. I'm sure most of you guys have heard of the movie Black Hawk Down. However, not many know about 2 men, Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart. They were delta force snipers who volunteered to secure the crash site of the second helicopter, Blackhawk Super 64, when they found out the rescue convoy would not get their soon enough. They were dropped off by another helicopter and had to run 100 m to the crash site. They pulled the injured crew of 4 out to defend them because they were too injured. They alone fought the Somali mob of hundreds for about an hour until they were overrun and killed. Their mutilated bodies were then dragged through the streets by the horde of Somalis which was seen on CNN the morning after. All crew members of Super 64 were killed except for the pilot Michael Durant who was violently beaten but spared by the mob. He was prisoner for 11 days until he was released. Shughart and Gordon killed from 25-50 Somalis. For their actions, they were awarded the Medal of Honor.
LINK

Seen from Black Hawk DownLINK

This post was edited on 10/3/17 at 8:29 pm

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Posted by Hog Zealot

On the Flats

Member since Mar 2012

1626 posts

Posted on 10/3/17 at 6:41 pm to whatkindanameiskirby

My best friend is a retired 75th. Started flying for the 160th Nightstalkers shortly before and was involved in this op before moving to DAP. His old Ranger squad and team was on the ground while he was up in his Little Bird. Said he wanted to land more than once, give them support, and get them the hell out. Cannot imagine his struggles.

I've been fortunate to meet a lot of these men and they are some of the finest people I've ever had contact with.

They were up in Savannah at the end of the Summer honoring Shug and Gordon as well as other fallen Rangers at their reunion.

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Posted by flyingtexastiger

Southlake, TX

Member since Oct 2005

1634 posts

Posted on 10/9/17 at 7:07 pm to whatkindanameiskirby

One of the most moving stories I have ever heard. Also tough for the guys in charge of the Op who had to give them the OK for the insert. They knew they were almost certainly sending them on a one way trip.

Makes me proud to be an American. Even with all of our differences, we are still a country in which people will lay down their lives in defense of their brothers and sisters.