Jessica Lynch

[Doc Crow]

Ok Gang
Is it just me or are they making way to much crap about this Jessica Lynch stuff. Now do not get me wrong give the girl the credit she deserves but dam% seems like she is the greates war hero ever. Unit gets lost she gets saved and here come the books, movie's interviews etc. I get angry when I think about all the otheres that had gone before her. Nurse's in Nam, Korea, WWII and all the way back to the Civil War and hardly a word about them. What about all the POW's from NAM and other conflicts. Sorry folks but this seems like she was the only one there.

[greensideout]

I hear ya Doc! I really think that she was to be the example of, "Women belong in combat". It didn't work out!

The "spin" folks will drop her and try another way to sell the lie.

I think a lot of unknowing people found out that it takes a lot more then camo and a rifle to make a fighting soldier. Jessica works well for that example.

Bless her heart, I feel bad for her. For what happened and for being used by the Army. She said that she was no hero---we have to give her credit there.

[trimmerj]

We 3rb Battalion 2nd Marines (3/2) rolled in Nasiriyah, Iraq on the 25th of March. I was there and herd all the stories, but we new the truth from the begining. The Marines on the ground got the intel and contributed to her rescue, but nobody talks about that. 1/2 & 2/8 were the one's that had to go in save what was left of the Army 507th Maintenance Company on March 23rd. In the process 1st Battalion 2nd Marines (1/2)were ambushed suffering 17 deaths in that battle, but no one is talking about that. The media doesn't talk about those deaths, the contant mortar attacks every night, sniper fire and other fire fights. Occording to enemy captured and questioned, the only reason they fought back in Nasiriyah, was because the 507th Maintenance Company were so easy to destroy, so the Iraqi's got brave and took on the Marines. Initially they put of up alot resistance. In a matter of a week we broke thier will to fight. This was by far the hardest fought battle of the war, but the media doesn't talk about that either. We lost a lot of good men, I think it was around (27) for the regiment, during that battle when it was all said and done. They are the real hero's. While this Lynch girl gets richer than we will ever be, I don't see here giving to the families of lost loved one's that saved her but.

[Doc Crow]

Well I did watch the movie tonight just to see how it was portrayed and discovered if it was not for the Piestwa girl Lynch would probably have been dead. Piestwa wass not really paying attention to where she was going due to an RPG anf slammed into the back of a truck killing herself the Officer who got them lost in the first place and knocking out Lynch. I do have to give the Iraqi dude who gave then information to US Force's cause he really risked his own life big time. But the movie portrayed her as this Wonder Child who did so much but hardly fired a shot. By what I could see poor weapons maintenance cause several weapons to jam thus diminishing the fire power they had. The officer who I believe was killed made a bad decision on where to go and failed to radio for confirmation and was counting on the OLD GPS which also failed and looked at the map was still not sure so he guessed and guessed wrong. TrimmerJ I know how you feel way to much has happened that has been kept on the QT and way to much BS has been published. But hey that is the Liberal Press in this country make it worse then it really is and do not but in the good stuff that is happening each day there. TrimmerJ Thanks for your Service My Brother Happy Birthday and Semper Fi

[trimmerj]

Thanks Doc, I can tell you are Corpsman did a great job during that battle. Alot Marines' owe there lives to them and to the Marines that admistered buddy aid. There were so many heroic actions that took place during the battle of Nasiriyah, I hope someone writes a historical book on it. I have alot of memories of my company and the Battalion durin OIF, the bonds we made will last a life time, that's something no one can take away from us or write about. As far as Lynch goes and that Lawyer that saved her, none of them would be living the lives they are now without the great work and sacrifice of the Marines and Sailors of TasK Force Tarawa.

[Doc Crow]

I agree they did an outstanding job. The troops today are top notch all the way. One of my biggest Issue's with young corpsman was that many didnot realize the responsibilty they incur with the Marines. Some seem to think it is just a nasty job they have been stuck with and fail to realize that they have become a part of one of the Greatest Brotherhoods known to man. The relationship of Marines and their Doc's has a tradition almost as storied as the Corps itself. Per Capita more Corpsman died at Iwo and Okinawa then Marines. I had the honor 5 years ago to be one of the Guest Speakers at the Marine Corp Ball held at the Local Disbaled Veterans Lodges here in Glendale, AZ. I considered that the Greatest Honor of My Life. I was Thanked by So Many Men that my wife was in awe. Till that time I do not think she realized the Love Between Marines and Doc and the Pride that I felt to have served with them. I was never much of a Sailor but sure could excel with the Marines even though all my reduction in Ranks came with the Marines :-). I always felt a sense of Pride when I read about Doc's and the awards they received while serving the FMF. It made me want to honor them and the only way was to Serve the Corps with Distinction and Honor

[MarineGrunt1775]

Well hey Doc you saw the big deal they made out here in Arizona about honoring Piestwa. LCPL Williams never got the credit he deserved. Williams, for those who don't know; was from Glendale Az. He was with 1/2 and was one of 17 Marines that lost their lives in the initial battle that 1ST SGT Trimmer was talking about. I heard that Sen McCain had ti get involved after there was FUBAR on having his body returned back stateside

[trimmerj]

My heart goes out to Williams and the others that didn't come back. We herd of the ambush on the night of the 23rd, when we were on the western side of Nasiriyah securing a bridge. That was are AO (Area of Opreation). We felt so much pain and grief for are fallen brothers. When we foud out we were moving the next morning to reenforce 1/2 & 2/8 we were excited and scared at the same time. We were still green, not knowing what to expect, that would soon change on the 25th when we entered the city. We move in during a massive sand storm, which I think masked are movement and probably prevented the enemy hitting us on are approach. The only thing I could think about was the safety of my Marines and helping 1/2 & 2/8, and we did that. We 3/2 turned the hole dynamics of the battle around, we didn't trust anyone the ROE' (Rules Of Engagement) went out the door. If we felt threatened we killed them, it was as simple as that. I brought all my Marines home, I wish I could say that for everyone else.

[ALSEUT]

Like I have heard so many times The down fall of the are was Women!

[mikemac64]

Trimmer and Others,

It is good to see many of the people in my age group are representing our Corps as positive leaders. I went in 14 Mar 83 and to this day day the biggest mistake I made was not staying.

Hindsight is 20/20 for me, but you represent our Corps well.

[Sixguns]

MikeMac64,

Every Marines contributions are important and so were yours. Not all of us have the vision to see into the future or know how a career might turn out. I appreciate your service. Remember, there are many who never even thought about one tour in the Corps. You earned the title and that's all that's important.

I won't make any more comments on the Lynch matter, as I had posted my thoughts earlier in another thread. I did that before watching the show. My opinion hasn't changed. I appreciate anyone stepping forward to join the ranks of the military and that is exactly what I credit Lynch for. She didn't have to join but she did. As for her "hero" status et al., I continue to reserve my remarks.

SF and Happy Birthday,

SIXGUNS

[yellowwing]

"I brought all my Marines home, I wish I could say that for everyone else." - trimmerj, First Sergeant you have no idea how much your comments motivated me. Semper Fi!

[Doc Crow]

Yea it is amazing how the FEMALE BUTCH Governor and the people she put pressure completly changed the state rules on Naming things after People. I am sad Lori Piestawa lost her life but is is sad that the Gov decided she was more important then Williams who dies in actual combat and not because he wrecked a vehicle because they went the wrong direction. The death is no less traumatic or tragic but Williams deserves the same respect as she did. The GOV was doing nothing but politics for the Native Americans and Woman

[JOHNBL35]

Happy Birthday and semper fi to all.

As for the Lynch matter you didn't see anyone putting forth the effort to Rescue anyone else, and I personally don't think they would have if it were a male that was captured.
Just My oppinion

[CPL-Mac]

I'm personnely sick of hearing about her. IMO if she were a hero she would have kept her rifle clean and fought back so that her unit had a chance at making it out alive. It was her duty to ensure that her weapon fired. Other members of her unit had the sence to keep their weapon clean and they really needed all the firepower that they could muster.

I also didn't like hearing that she wouldn't meet with the Iraqi that saved her ass when he came through her hometown.

Also I really didn't like hearing her slam the Army unit that rescued her, by saying that they didn't have to come in with force. Tell that to the other units that lost good people in and around Nasiriyah. You'd think after being ambushed the way she did she would learn her leason about being locked and cocked and expecting the worst case scenerio.