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thedrifter
06-09-03, 06:16 AM
More Marines return home to High Desert base

Delta Company took part in the rescue of the seven American POWs in Iraq

By RICK McLAUGHLIN, Staff Writer
TWENTYNINE PALMS - Some of the most widely watched Marines on television during the battle for Iraq are returning to home base at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center.
While many Marines have been returning for weeks since the end of major combat in Iraq, Bravo and Delta companies of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion began arriving by bus to the cheers and hugs of families and friends at the High Desert base Friday night.

For the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Regiment, the eyes and ears of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, coming home is bitter sweet. A few of their comrades didn't make it home alive.

But for those who did come home as combat-tested veterans, there are memories and stories to last a lifetime. Friends and family were able to watch the armored reconnaissance regiment lead the first assault across the Kuwait border into Iraq and on to Baghdad through the eyes of a television reporter with the unit. But it's Delta Company of the 3rd Light Armored that comes home with one of the most celebrated honors of the short war.

In the early Sunday morning darkness of April 13, Delta Company began the search for Building 13 in the north-central Iraqi city of Samarra.

They had been informed that was where seven U.S. prisoners of war were being held.

In Samarra, streets and rooftops began to fill with Iraqis as Marines searched house-to-house for the prisoners.

Foot teams spread through alleys and streets looking for Building 13. But as precious minutes passed and locals pressed in, the Marines prepared to pull out.

Then, Russell heard a voice from a window: "We're Americans. My name is Chief Warrant Officer Williams.'

With rifles pointing in every direction, the Marines based in San Bernardino County screamed for everyone to get down. Three unarmed guards were lying face-down among the POWs.

The seven rescued soldiers stood and were quickly ushered outside. They were Spc. Edgar A. Hernandez, 21, of Mission, Texas; Spc. Joseph N. Hudson, 23, of Alamogordo, N.M.; Spc. Shoshana N. Johnson, 30, of Fort Bliss, Texas; Pfc. Patrick W. Miller, 23, of Walter, Kan.; Sgt. James J. Riley, 31, of Pennsauken, N.J.; Chief Warrant Officer David S. Williams, 30, of Orlando, Fla.; and Chief Warrant Officer Ronald D. Young Jr., 26, of Lithia Springs, Ga.

Within 30 minutes, the Marines had the soldiers out of town. An hour and a half later, they were airborne in a CH-46 helicopter.

At the combat center near Twentynine Palms, the Marines are proud of their unit.

""We are very proud - and were relieved the POWs were rescued,' said Gunnery Sgt. Frank Patterson, a public affairs chief.

The following Wednesday after the rescue, the former POWs were flown to Ramstein Air Base in Germany for treatment and observation before going home.

The Marine Corps News Service, Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly, San Antonio Express News and The New York Times contributed to this report.

http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~12588~1440494,00.html


Sempers,

Roger