May Be Offensive to Some, Memorial Day Ramblings
John Appel
I watched Discovery Channel's Medal Of Honor special last night (taped it
from 11/11/99). Very inspirational stuff, it's what made me think so highly
of the military when I was growing up. Of course, I was born in 1952, so my
formative years were not that far from the action of WWII. Stories, movies,
etc. were common place, as were tales from Korea.
One of the stories highlighted the actions of two Delta Force (SFOD-D)
operators in Somalia in 1993. I won't address the actions of these two
heroic operators, their MOH citations, and the fact that ships were named
after each of them speaks for itself.
This was one of the most disgusting debacles of the last decade and a
humiliating and disgraceful episode in the not-too-glorious administration
of William Jefferson Blythe Clinton.
Sorry if I offend anyone with my distaste for this putrefying piece of human
detritus, our President Bill Clinton. If I do, well.. fuck you.
Delta Force operators were sent to Somalia to perform a task, and perform it
they did. They were under politically motivated orders to capture Mohammed
Farrar Aidid, and they succeeded in capturing some of his lieutenants aides
in an operation on Sunday, October 3, 1993.
The Delta Force arrest team leader was a close personal friend of mine, SFC
Matthew Rierson, of Miami, Ohio
Matt and I had spent a lot of the previous two years shooting the "Action
Shooting" or IPSC (International Practical Shooting Association) circuit in
this area. We'd shared rooms, meals, laughs, triumphs, and victories
together. He was one of the most personable and likeable young men I've ever
met. He and another Delta operator, Robin Rapp, were unofficial
"ambassadors" for the military community in the shooting fraternity of the
NC, SC, VA, TN, GA, and KY area.
Matt Rierson was awarded his "Master" Class IPSC certification in the Fall
of 1993, an accomplishment few achieve. He didn't live to receive it.
(Robin Rapp was killed in the early spring of 1992 in a parachute jump at
Ft. Bragg. One of his teammates, SFC Larry Vickers, took Robin's slot at the
TN state match on Memorial Day weekend, won in his classification group, and
dedicated his win to his deceased teammate, Robin Rapp.)
SFC Matt Rierson's arrest team made captures on that Sunday, and thereafter
ensued the longest firefight US forces have engaged in since the Vietnam
War. Through an unbelievable chain of events, a convoy to rescue Matt and
his team and prisoners wound through Mogadishu for two hours, taking an
enormous amount of casualties. Matt Rierson is credited with being the
driving force behind the heroic actions taken by his team in that furious
firefight, and keeping his team together and (mostly) alive. Casualties were
estimated at 500 Somalis killed, another 500-800 wounded, versus 18 US
personnel KIA. From personal conversations I had with men who were beside
him, I know that Matt killed a lot of Somalis that day, as did the others in
his team.
(It's often said that dying for one's country is the ultimate sacrifice.
While not denigrating that notion, I feel that having to kill for your
country is a much harder burden to bear.)
During he firefight, two choppers went down, including the one piloted by WO
Durant. The two Delta operators awarded the MOH, Sgts. Shugart and Gordon
(both of whom I'd met before) were killed defending Durant's position.
Durant was pinned inside his crashed chopper, and was taken POW after
Shugart and Gordon were killed.
I'll not try to describe the battle. Mark Bowden, a reporter for the
Philadelphia Inquirer, wrote a book titled "Blackhawk Down", which is the
definitive work on battle description. I urge each of you to read this, if
you haven't already. It's a gut-wrenching account of a gun battle that
defies belief. If I didn't know some of the Delta participants and had the
opportunity to spend may hours commiserating and talking things out with
them, I wouldn't believe it myself. It will make you cringe at the ferocity
of it, and make you swell with pride at the heroics of all involved. More
than a few tears rolled from my eyes. I knew some of the men well that
survived that hell on earth, and not a one came out of it unscathed.
Anyway, America lost 18 men in that battle. The day after the battle,
Clinton decided that it wasn't worth it, and called off all offensive
action, thereby denying America the chance to recover it's dignity and honor
by engaging in further combat.
Sorry if I sound bloodthirsty. I believe that defeat and humiliation on the
battle field deserve some reaction from a force in arms. To watch men die
for something today, and be told to "forget it" tomorrow is unconscionable.
(I think I mentioned this in one of my first posts to the this NG some
months ago, but I was part of the USAF SP reaction force that was set to
initially take back the SS Mayaguez when it was seized by Khmer Rouge
communists in the Gulf of Thailand in May, 1975. One of our choppers went
down flying out of Nakhom Phanom Air Base in northern Thailand, killing 16
cops, some medics, and the chopper crew. We were pre-empted by Marines
brought in to do battle instead, and our Officers made an "agreement" that
any Cambodes left on the ship were to be killed in retribution for our cops
who bought the farm coming down from NKP. I had no problem with that then,
and I have no problem with it now.)
A few weeks later the US Army was flying Mohammed Farrar Aidid to meetings
in US aircraft, and recognized him as the leader of his faction.
The US stuttered along for a few weeks, then the force was gradually
reduced, and Somalia reverted to the slimy chaos it'd been in for centuries,
President Bill Clinton started seducing women his daughters age in OUR White
House, and any mention of "Somalia" became verboten around the White House.
Everybody forgot. Except those who were involved, one way or another.
Oh, yeah. Two days after the battle, on Tuesday, October 5, 1993, SFC Matt
Rierson was struck by a mortar round at Mogadishu Airport, and died
instantly.
America lost a hero that day, known but to a select few. I often recall his
smile and his ways, and I'm thankful and humble that I knew him, and called
him "friend."
He died for nothing. They all died for nothing.
President Bill Clinton is not worthy of licking the boots of those that have
fought and died at his command around the world.
MBC314
>I watched Discovery Channel's Medal Of Honor special last night
>of the military when I was growing up.
Ditto... that was a very well done documentary. Very well! My Dad taped it
for me and I just watched it a couple of days ago.
::SNIP:: Somolia MOH comments
>This was one of the most disgusting debacles of the last decade and a
>humiliating and disgraceful episode in the not-too-glorious administration
>of William Jefferson Blythe Clinton.
>Sorry if I offend anyone with my distaste for this putrefying piece of human
>detritus, our President Bill Clinton. If I do, well.. F*#k you.
I thought my feelings on the perverted Commander-in-Chief were strong... well,
thinking about it, they're at LEAST as strong as your's. He's a vociferous
pig.
>The day after the battle,
>Clinton decided that it wasn't worth it, and called off all offensive
>action, thereby denying America the chance to recover it's dignity and honor
With $lick WIlly, it's become all to apparent that if there's no immediate
political advantage, or any chance for political embarassment, the lives of our
servicemen and women are worthless. He truly expands the definition of
"expendable!"
>To watch men die
>for something today, and be told to "forget it" tomorrow is unconscionable.
Hello.... sounds of Vietnam ring in my ears.
>President Bill Clinton started seducing women his daughters age in OUR White
>House, and any mention of "Somalia" became verboten around the White House.
>Everybody forgot.
It's always been said, "that a 'stiff one' has no conscience," and (again)
Clinton gives even that an expanded definition!!
>President Bill Clinton is not worthy of licking the boots of those that have
>fought and died at his command around the world.
>
... and there be the root of your post. Given that your post was shortly after
Veteran's Day, makes the comments in your post all the more sorrowful and
relevent. I saw clips of him laying a wreath at OUR Tomb of the Unknowns... a
place I've visited many, many times - even when it's been closed to the public
after hours and so on... and seeing him trying to pretend to be humble is worse
than imagining him with his daughter's contemporaries!! Hearing and seeing his
false praise of our American military... hearing him today along with Gore,
claim they are increasing spending for the military is sad. Is it possible
that Americans are really so naive and ignorant to not recall that it has been
Clinton and Gore's administration that has destroyed our military?
John, the details of your post... when compared to Clinton is so sad. When I
think of Clinton in our Whitehouse, I literally think of a "pig in the poke!"
Oh well... I guess he's not the first, or last, pig there; but hopefully, we
won't someday be under a Chink flag thanks to his efforts.
Bill
Thomas Ristvall
One of my platoon-leaders (in 1991) 1LT Jonas Bessing was there in the
latter part of 1993. He was the platoon-leader of the Swedish
guard-platoon at the (Swe) UN hospital in Mogadishu. On one occasion (of
many) the platoon was engaged in a firefight against Gen. Aidids
militia. 1LT Bessing fought back this time with a part of a group of the
guard and this "battle" took 45 minutes before the Somali weapons went
silent. He received the "Försvarsmaktens belöningsmedalj för
internationella insatser" (the nicest medal for Swedish personnel) from
our C-in-C.
As the hospital served US personnel he got the Army Commendation Medal
(ARCOM) from the US Secretary of Defense. The motivation:
"1LT Bessing's leadership was instrumental in providing hospital support
to US and coalition forces of the UN in an austere combat environment.
1LT Bessing demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism,
dedication and performance of duty and his actions reflect great credit
on him, the Swedish government and the UN in SOMALIA"
1LT Bessing is CPT today and engaged in as far as I know the
international command of Swedint.
--
/SSG Thomas Ristvall
MP Royal Swedish Army (res.)
___________________________
<rist...@hotmail.com>
Graham and Sharon Dondlinger
news:19991114104850...@ng-cs1.aol.com...
> John, the details of your post... when compared to Clinton is so sad.
When I
> think of Clinton in our Whitehouse, I literally think of a "pig in the
poke!"
> Oh well... I guess he's not the first, or last, pig there; but hopefully,
we
> won't someday be under a Chink flag thanks to his efforts.
>
> Bill
I saw on "CBS Sunday Morning" about how our Pres is now declaring that he
fought the impeachement to "preserve and protect the Constitution". I long
ago decided that if he were really concerned about our nation's welfare
rather than about himself, he would have resigned from office, whether or
not he was guilty of something deserving of impeachment. Look at the
stand-off between Republicans and Democrats now in the wake of the
impeachment. The Test Ban Treaty, recently defeated in Congress, as well as
any other action proposed by the Administration stands no chance of passage
by the Republican Congress with him in office. Congress is going to block
him at every turn. As much as I don't like Gore, he would stand a much
better chance of running the country in more cooperation with Congress than
Clinton ever will be able to hope for. Now he is searching for the "legacy"
of his administration, trying to find one good thing to do that he can be
remembered for. It's too late. He cares more about himself and his image
than about the country he was sworn in to serve. This is why American
President's should have served some time in the service...we know how to
place our country first. JMHO
Sharon
--
Graham & Sharon Dondlinger
Email: bust...@hom.net
HomePage: www.hom.net/~buster01
MBC314
>President's should have served some time in the service...we know how to
>place our country first. JMHO
Well, JYHO is quite good... and I almost wish that, somehow, prospective
Presidents had to take history lessons with the focus on Washington's Inaugaral
Addresses and his farewell speech; and Jefferson's thoughts of government and
tyrany.
Bill