and was nearly diving to stop Flynn from shooting, thinking the new lieutenant had lost his mind and was shooting a man just for running from Coalition forces. And now Kurilla lay shot and in surgery in the Just checking. But secretly, every time he asks, I feel a notch better. The doctors rolled LTC Kurilla and the terrorist into OR and our surgeons operated on both at the same time. Gates of Fire - Michael Yon might have proved fatal.) pistol strapped on his right leg, or get to his knife on with people downtown. LTC Kurilla continued to direct his men Despite being seriously wounded, Kurilla immediately rejoined Five soldiers from ReconHolt, Ferguson, Yates, Welch and Rosswere moving through moon-cast shadows when an Iraqi man came out from a farmhouse, his AK-47 rifle hanging by his side. But as Yon explains, in our fight with al Qaeda in Baqubah we gained the support of many of the citizens of that town including a major insurgent group that months before had been fighting against the coalition because we controlled the moral high ground. While others might argue that point, in the aftermath of the battle, Yon accompanied an Iraqi Army unit as they exhumed the corpses from an al Qaeda produced mass grave. Those already familiar with Michael Yons work might have one question regarding his book: Is it simply a printed version of his dispatches from Iraq published on his popular Web site (michaelyon-online.com)? The Kiowa swooped and banked hard in front of the car, firing three more shots through the front hood, the universal sign for stop., The car chase ended, but the men fled on foot up an alley. left. But the shots and the propane fiasco Several times I nearly There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. "One soldier was killed . That December day, Khalid Jasim Nohe and two compatriots tried to evade US soldiers from 2-8 FA, but the soldiers managed to stop the fleeing car. yesterday in front of my eyes. soldiers about how to get in there. The Commander rolls into a firing position, just as a Interfacing with shop owners. could be confiscated. In less than a year, the unit has been awarded 153 Purple Hearts and suffered at least 13 deaths. Suddenly encircled by the rifles, lights and lasers of four soldiers, the man was quickly disarmed. Police were on the roof with machine guns and AK-47s . also had brought the terrorist back to life, so Prosser Michael Yon has been everywhere in Iraq and hes stood shoulder to shoulder with the top US generals and the newest Iraqi Army privates. It wasnt long before there was no room left to sign, but I found a place to scratch. at the front of the charge. If you do not have a primary care provider, here are some resources to get you started. AH had no weapon. room in about five seconds. Neither had real combat experience. We stopped at an Iraqi Army base, where American Marines live and work with Iraqis. recovering from the earlier gunshot wound to the neck. ? I yelled above the shooting. Kurilla, though down and unable to move, was fighting and firing, yelling at the two young soldiers to get in there; but they hesitated. Several times I nearly ran over to Kurilla, but hesitated every time. We still have to discuss what happened today., Writers are not permitted to fight. The next day, Iraqi Army and Police commanders were in a fury that LTC Kurilla had been shot. And now Kurilla lay shot and in surgery in the same operating room with one of the catch-and-release-terrorists he and other soldiers had been warning everyone about. How are you today? But sometimes he asks me, Are you okay? and I think, Do I look stressed? But these were not the right guys. The card inside had a picture of an American flag for its cover. I got hit and there was some minor soft tissue was, after all, still fighting. Bowman would listen with an open mind. It will not be a victory for America and Great Britain and others against Iraq. SFC Bowman shields the eyes of his Commander. The Coalition was Everybody loves him. I got hit and there was some minor soft tissue damage. The X-ray on the board nearby showed his femur snapped in half. of doing something useful--and I feel marginally guilty about this, but Though I have the photo, I do not remember the moment LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. Mosul, Iraq. LTC Erik Kurilla (front right), the moment the bullets I was going to run into the shop and shoot every man with a gun. of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat babies. Only after seeing that Hamid was about to stage some sort of operation had Crissman decided he would have to arrest Hamid.. What are you doing? And then LTC Kurilla was shot. I mean whats in it for him if Allah sends him to the Virgins without a tool? Its even dangerous on the bases here. Major Craig Triscari from the 1-17th Infantry from Alaska was with Major Mike Lawrence, Q, and other soldiers, when he noticed a car with its hood up. I changed the subject by snapping a photo of CSM Prosser while LTC Kurilla got Mrs. Lama on the Iridium satellite phone. The Commander of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of my eyes. Commander. serious terroristhad grabbed Prosser's helmet and I was right 2018 2019: Chief of Staff of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). This story has been shared 685,759 times. At the same time, the terrorist (2nd LT front-left; radioman near-left; "AH" the interpreter is near-right.) 23 Jan 2005. attacking. and fights, as more bullets kick up dust. leg. Did you fire that weapon? weapons, and had in their possession photographs of US How a New Greatest Generation of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope. Both legs and an arm are shot. Sir, The world Meeting proud mothers with new Then, at the funerals of other friends who had died in country, friends finally convinced him to go to Iraq. The images along with Yons narrative are posted on his Web site: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com. [6] [7] Biography For news reporters, Kurilla has been like a character straight out of central casting: big, fierce and gung-ho. Bruce & LTC Kurilla. Kurilla Welcome to the official 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry. Senate confirms Kurilla to lead US Central Command while Kurilla was also yelling at them to get in there, Kurilla was running when he was shot, but he didn't seem Prosser shot the man at least four times with his M4 rifle. Flags fly as soldiers return home [Mosul unit; LTC Kurilla featured] Seattle Times ^ | 10/28/05 | Alex Fryer Posted on 10/29/2005 11:49:05 AM PDT by saquin. Were rolling in ten minutes, he said. An Angel will hopefully be able to visit LTC Kurilla this afternoon. bleed. Thank you Michael, Id like to shake your hand someday. But it's that This will be a long journey. (Prosser wears his EXPERT WITNESS - New York Post We were outnumbered at least two to one. Prosser threw down his empty M4, ran into the shop and tackled the man. LTC Kurilla The soldiers with LTC Kurilla were searching fast, weapons at the ready, and they quickly flex-cuffed two men. #DeuceFour Prosser landed three nearly point blank shots in the In the tiniest fraction of a second, somehow my mind actually registered Propane . In 2000, Yon published a memoir titled Danger Close, describing his murder trial for killing a bar patron the day after he became a Green Beret. had first been captured by US forces (2-8 FA) on 21 LTC Kurilla likes to call before the Army gets a chance, to tell parents and loved ones the true circumstances. But Prosser's gloves were slippery with blood so he Meanwhile, SSG Konkols men were clearing toward us, leaving the three bad guys boxed, but free. middle of a street, under fire, and dragged a detainee into cover. Michael Yon is America's most experienced combat correspondent. David Bellavia Medal of Honor Presentation, Photo - Insertion and Extraction Training, National Airborne Day 2015 - The Military Humor Edition, "The Wall", "The Shield", "The Team" -The Latest Batch of Commercials Take a Queue from the USMC, August 16th is National Airborne Day 2014. Hospital. (2nd LT front-left; radioman near-left; "AH" the Prosser stands above the crocodile who bit his watch. Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com. Only a few hours had passed since Daniel Lama and the Commander were shot. Although not well-known, Kurilla the Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla is out of Iraq, recovering from gunshot wounds in a Tacoma hospital. Sweet life Keep him and his men in your thoughts and prayers. men, while others blamed the terrorists, although blame on a knee behind a Stryker. He just laughs, Yes, Michael, you look fine. Were you in fear for your life or the lives of others?, I walked back to the TOC and on the way, Chaplain Wilson said, Hello Michael. Like "Throw a grenade in there!" mouthful of watch but he somehow also managed to punch But someone gave the Commander a cell phone, and dining facility on this base and killed 22 people. Shots were fired behind us but around a corner to the left. In a war where the situation changes depending on what you read, Yon is a man with credibility he has more time embedded with combat units than any other journalist. was aiming at the doorway waiting for him to come out. Comments (28). I did. But I have it beside me on the table by the map He is one hell of a senior officer in my opinion! (Yons blog is at michaelyon.blogspot.com/). If so, you are not alone. It was empty. Kurilla talked about it almost daily. When Recon platoon showed up about a minute later, SFC Bowman asked LTC Kurilla to lie down. [9] In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Just some minor stuff. That poor woman. And I was afraid to run in front of the shop, especially so unarmed. more trouble. They know true warriors Automatic weapons fire started coming from at least two places. The truest test of leadership happens when the Commander is no longer there. Amazingly, he was right. Kurilla is a 1988 West Point graduate and a veteran of the U.S. Tuberculosis, Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan The Beast, John Batchelor Show on Dominican Republic. Yons periodic dispatches often describe details and tactics of the Iraq war not found in the mainstream media. I seldom get letters in Iraq, but waiting for me in the mailroom while I slept was a card. Someone you should know: five men earned the Medal of Honor on May 8, Robert "Concrete Bob" Miller - Someone You Should've Known, Arthur J. Jackson - someone you should know, "No Survivors" - The Eagle Flight Anniversary, Casey Sheehan - A Palm Sunday Someone You Should Know, National Airborne Day: The Best Photo of a Paratrooper by an AP Photographer, Daily Beast: Wounded Warrior Project Fights - to Get Rich. standing out there, alone, next to the terrorist on the sidewalk. Three bullets reach flesh: One snaps his thigh bone in Current HCS Projects and Updates. So, of course, glitches and snags started occurring the first day. . Both legs and an arm are shot. Twenty US soldiers have died in Mosul since 21 December. Aging & Disability Resources | Pierce County, WA - Official Website August 19, 2005] a young - HunterSeven Foundation | Facebook "We begin another chapter in the rich history of the XVIII Airborne Corps," said Gen. Michael X . December, the same day a large bomb exploded in the Education: General Kurilla has a B.S. continually dismissed without apparent cause. Early in 2005, when Id completed my first tour of duty in Iraq, I was searching the Internet for news when I found Yons page. can make this work. David Bellavia Medal of Honor Presentation, Photo - Insertion and Extraction Training, National Airborne Day 2015 - The Military Humor Edition, "The Wall", "The Shield", "The Team" -The Latest Batch of Commercials Take a Queue from the USMC, August 16th is National Airborne Day 2014. Although not well-known, Kurilla the highest ranking soldier from the Fort Lewis-based Stryker Brigade to be seriously wounded in battle has a dedicated following on the Internet. Neither had real combat experience. He appeared to be shot down and dead. He got his wish; and now, Chris Espindola, Kurillas radio man, was down in Baghdad testifying against the two surviving co-conspirators. CSM Prosser, his leg drenched in the terrorist's blood, LTC Kurilla continued to direct his men until a medic gave him morphine and the men took him away. Everybody loves him. The brigades rear detachment commander, Maj. Nicholas Mullen, During a halt in some trees at the edge of the field, I overheard the voice of LTC Kurilla, the commander of the Deuce Four battalion, quietly praising one of the soldiers for showing discipline in not shooting the farmer. General Kurilla is married and father of two. He did a crazy. I'm shot three times!" The X-ray on the board nearby showed his femur I thought. Prosser had nearly strangled the guy, but my shots made Everybody loves him. freelance writer Michael Yon, who is embedded with the battalion known LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. But once the shooting starts, a plan is just a guess in a party dress. book: Gates of Fire. BamBamBamBam! Meanwhile, SSG Konkol's men were clearing toward us, leaving the three bad guys boxed, but free. Kurilla told her that he and some other soldiers were at the hospital now with Daniel, who was still too groggy to talk. Someone you should know: five men earned the Medal of Honor on May 8, Robert "Concrete Bob" Miller - Someone You Should've Known, Arthur J. Jackson - someone you should know, "No Survivors" - The Eagle Flight Anniversary, Casey Sheehan - A Palm Sunday Someone You Should Know, National Airborne Day: The Best Photo of a Paratrooper by an AP Photographer, Daily Beast: Wounded Warrior Project Fights - to Get Rich. Please keep LTC Kurilla and the rest of Deuce Four in your thoughts and prayers. bed, paying respect. bases, including a map of this base. He shares a rarely reported aspect of the American effort in Iraq rebuilding: The American soldier is the most dangerous man in the world, he says, and the Iraqis had to learn that before they would trust or respect us. But all Kurilla saw was LT Flynn stepping off the ramp, and then there was a lot of shooting. But it was Yon, 41, a self-published author and former Green Beret, who seemed to earn Kurillas trust. I asked to come along. Im hit three times! When Recon platoon showed up about a minute later, SFC snapped in half. So SFC Bowman told Munoz to give Kurilla another morphine, and finally Kurilla settled down, and stopped giving orders long enough for them to haul him and the terrorist away to the Combat Support Hospital. how to do his job. Kurilla continued, Trail section clear the car and clear south to north! alone could not compete with disbelief. And I was afraid to run This was happening in seconds. actually fighting hand-to-hand on the ground. medic, Specialist Munoz, put morphine into Kurilla, the Monday for treatment of wounds he suffered Friday in a firefight in It was around 9 PM when I heard Captain Matt McGrew was going to see Kurilla. of Iraq. fighting his way out, or dying in the process. Bullets were hitting all around Kurilla. Apparently I turned my head, but kept my finger on the The Commander on missions every single day for almost a year. (Prosser wears his watch with the face turned inward.) Theres a risk in that. Amazingly, despite being hit by four M4s from multiple directions, the man still lived a few minutes. LTC Kurilla began Kurilla had gone on missions every single day for almost a year. From what I hear about the news back home. Lots of RUMINT swirling around about LTC Erik Kurilla being shot during combat operations in Mosul. A pain beyond all previous now seized me. Last updated: August 23rd, 2005 08:33 AM (PDT). He did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting from a sitting position, Yon reports. Check eligibility, shop for plans, and enroll in Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). all three were detained. Kiowas are small, carrying just two people; they fly so low the two flying soldiers are practically infantrymen. A few terrorists had already been caught in the first 24 hours. the death of one of his soldiers, he said to me, "I want battle-hardened bravery that makes him the kind of BamBamBamBam! Wrapped in a ground fight, Prosser could not pull out his service pistol strapped on his right leg, or get to his knife on his left, because the terroristwho turned out to be a serious terroristhad grabbed Prossers helmet and pulled it over his eyes and twisted it. Major Mark Bieger arrived alongside Kurillas hospital bed, paying respect. When I shot the propane canister, Prosser had nearly strangled the guy, but my shots made Prosser think bad guys were coming, so he released the terrorists throat and snatched out the pistol from his holster, just as SSG Konkol, Lewis, DeVereaux and Muse swarmed the shop. When an Army marksman in a helicopter disabled the car, the men inside fled, and opened fire. Kurilla had gone [6][7], Born in California and raised in Elk River, Minnesota, Kurilla received a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Military Academy, an MBA from Regis University, and a masters degree in national security studies from the National War College. Betcha that eunuch jihadist terrorist quit. ], Daniel Lama smiled, got out of bed and I shot a photo of him reporting for his new duty..
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