Stories Of Courage And Bravery

[Growler67 0]

Reported by the Sun 18 May 2004:

 

OUTNUMBERED British soldiers killed 35 Iraqi attackers in the Army’s first bayonet charge since the Falklands War 22 years ago.

The fearless Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stormed rebel positions after being ambushed and pinned down.

 

Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting near the city of Amara.

 

The battle erupted after Land Rovers carrying 20 Argylls came under attack on a highway.

 

After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills.

 

When the fighting ended bodies lay all over the highway — and more were floating in a nearby river. Nine rebels were captured.

 

An Army spokesman said: “This was an intense engagement.”

 

The last bayonet charge was by the Scots Guards and the Paras against Argentinian positions.

 

****************************************************************

 

 

 

Similar type of story here, in case no one's heard it:

 

It was a year ago on the march into Baghdad. Brian Chontosh was a platoon leader rolling up Highway 1 in a humvee.

 

When all hell broke loose.

 

Ambush city.

 

The young Marines were being cut to ribbons. Mortars, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades. And the kid out of Churchville was in charge. It was do or die and it was up to him.

 

So he moved to the side of his column, looking for a way to lead his men to safety. As he tried to poke a hole through the Iraqi line his humvee came under direct enemy machine gun fire.

 

It was fish in a barrel and the Marines were the fish.

 

And Brian Chontosh gave the order to attack. He told his driver to floor the humvee directly at the machine gun emplacement that was firing at them. And he had the guy on top with the .50 cal unload on them.

 

Within moments there were Iraqis slumped across the machine gun and Chontosh was still advancing, ordering his driver now to take the humvee directly into the Iraqi trench that was attacking his Marines. Over into the battlement the humvee went and out the door Brian Chontosh bailed, carrying an M16 and a Beretta and 228 years of Marine Corps pride.

 

And he ran down the trench.

 

With its mortars and riflemen, machineguns and grenadiers.

 

And he killed them all.

 

He fought with the M16 until it was out of ammo. Then he fought with the Beretta until it was out of ammo. Then he picked up a dead man's AK47 and fought with that until it was out of ammo. Then he picked up another dead man's AK47 and fought with that until it was out of ammo.

 

At one point he even fired a discarded Iraqi RPG into an enemy cluster, sending attackers flying with its grenade explosion.

 

When he was done Brian Chontosh had cleared 200 yards of entrenched Iraqis from his platoon's flank. He had killed more than 20 and wounded at least as many more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't care how you slice this one up (pun intended), courage and bravery are just a couple of words that come to mind. I met a few Brit Paras in the first Gulf War, very unassuming chaps. Very proffessional to boot. I had the utmost respect for them, the French Legionaires and all the other multi-national coalition folk I came across. This latest shows what happens to a bunch of punks when they pick on some blokes with BIG BRASS BALLS THE SIZE OF CANTALOPES!!! <SALUTE>!!

 

 

BTW, Brian Chontosh was awarded the Navy Cross for the above mentioned action taken. <SALUTE>!!

[zagnut 0]

I read about the Marine officer Brian Chontosh on the USMC website. Big press release with a pic of him with his Navy Cross pinned on from the Commendant of the Marine Corps. I also learned that the driver and gunner in the same Humvee were each awarded the Silver Star. I think that it's outstanding that our fighting men are being recognized by the higherups for their bravery, whether in groups or as individuals. Yet, there is a bit of medal inflation and has been in the past that shouldn't go overlooked. (This has nothing to do with Brian Chontosh or the other Marines.) For example, cooks that get the Bronze Star for hauling hot chow to the guys on the lines, or recently, (totally true) the U.S. Army awarded a number of Bronze Star medals to civilian contractors for meeting their quotas; most of which have been rescinded. Recognition is one thing, but I wish that awards used for bravery in battle wouldn't be transformed into more of a 'pat on the back' so to speak. What do you guys think?

Edited May 19, 2004 by zagnut

[Growler67 0]

I'm not too sure, but the reason for those being rescinded is that those are awards for military personnel. Contractors are not eligible for such decorations, regardless of what actions they perform. Those conditions are specified in the Army Regulations (and I'd bet the appropriate regs for the other banches of service as well).

[zagnut 0]

Well, no shiat Growler. Thats what I meant. My big question is; "What do you think if the medal inflation"> Zag

[zagnut 0]

I apologize for being rough. I don't mean it presonnaly by any means. Please fogive me.

[Growler67 0]

No Problemo. I recall (back when I was in the Army) it was harder than heck to get anything. My first award recommendation was for an ARCOM (Army Commendation Medal) and it wasn't from my unit. It came from 2/17 Cav at Ft Campbell for running a FARP as a PFC, in marginal weather, alone for 12 hours and working over 400 operations in a 12 hour period. Maintaining ATC services while losing 2 out of my 3 generators. It was downgraded by my Battallion because it being my first award, it shouldn't be an ARCOM. I was awarded an AAM (Army Achievment Medal) instead.

 

I also saw what you are mentioning in the Gulf War (1). I saw people getting awards for: driving supplies to and from LOG (Logistical) bases, providing hot water for showers, and other such nonsence. While these people were performing vital operations and improving morale, I also feel they were doing their jobs. Nothing above and beyond, nothing exemplary or over the top that would warrant ARCOM's or MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) or some of the other inflated awards.

 

That cheapened and soured me hard against my faith in fairness in the Army. I got out after returning to Germany in '91 (my time was up anyway, just had no stomach to reenlist). I see on the news a lot of Bronze Stars going out. Before I judge, I would have to find out the details of the incident(s) the individual was nominated for such award. I'm not going to say they are or aren't justified, or that the numbers and types of awards are unfairly inflated. However, the appearance of all the awards and types is a little troubling IMO. I hope they are all justified and fairly awarded to deserving persons. IMO that isn't always the reality, people looking to get decorated so they can get a promotion, do less work and then retire. I've seen it too often. Hope I answered what you were asking about.

[zagnut 0]

Hey Growler,

 

You're right on man. I wish you could've received that ARCOM, but this is really gonna chop your hide. I recently re-enlisted in the 221 Cav OPFOR unit here in Vegas, and I won't be inprocessed untill next month, so my recruiter gave me a little assignment. Recruiting thru referrals is all fine and good, but the Rec. and Retention Command came up with a little program called the Warrior Spirit Program. Basically there is a deadline (September 12 or something) to get up to 8 new enlistments through referrals. 2 Enlisted will get you 7 days ADSW pay and a wind breaker (w00t). 4 enlistments will get all that with an AAM. 6 will get you an ARCOM, a slot to Air Assault, and the other stuff. 8 elistments will get the same other stuff but with a MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL in leau of the ARCOM. Can you belive it? They Army is giving away medals for getting guys to sign up! The 7 day pay and the appointment to Air Assault seems like a fair thing, but they ought to 86 that MSM/ARCOM givaway and replace it with Airborne School and just an AAM. How retarded is that?

[Growler67 0]

Pretty retarded. They keep saying that they are meeting or exceeding their enlistment and retention goals. Do you ever get the feeling they aren't telling you all of the truth?

[Dagger 21]

I've noticed this trend also...commendations and medal are handed out like candy.driving a supply truck behind the front lines bringing paper and pencils will get you at least a Bronze Star these days.Nothing against any branch of our military..I am proably one of the biggest supporters of our troops anywhere,but I feel the meaning of these combat awards have been lost.Yes it's a big moral boost to get them pretty little ribbons pinned on your chest,heck I even got 1 or 2(ok it was back in the old days),but I just think that some of these are handed out for the wrong reasons.

The Marine Corps prides it's self on heritage and tradition,I'm sure that Brian Chontosh just wrote himself into Marine legend,and to him and his brave fellow Marines I pass along a heart felt"Semper Fi".

Oh yeah I spent 8 years in the Corps..served with 2/8 so I feel the pride he brought upon his self and the Corps with his actions.