| Submit your comments on this article | ||
| Europe | ||
| 14 U.S. soldiers awarded German Gold Cross medal | ||
| 2010-04-30 | ||
| ANSBACH, Germany -- The rescue was harrowing, but his son was calm in recounting it, Jack McDonough recalled Thursday. Capt. Robert McDonough, a pilot, called him in the States from northern Afghanistan. His son described how he had to maneuver his helicopter, which was evacuating wounded German soldiers, to avoid heavy fire from insurgents who had pinned down a German platoon. The bullets were so close, he could hear the rounds pinging off the Black Hawk's rotors, his son said. He wanted to let his father know he was OK before he saw the incident on the news. "A German doctor told him that if they hadn't gotten three of the other [German] soldiers back so quickly, they would have died," said Jack McDonough, of Williamsport, Pa. Jack McDonough was in Ansbach Thursday to take part in a ceremony to honor his son and 13 other members of 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade for their heroism in rescuing wounded German troops on April 2. Three of the 11 Germans who were rescued that day later died. Gen. Stanley McChrystal received Gold Cross medals on behalf of the soldiers last week. This is the first time foreign troops have received the medal, which is Germany's highest award for valor. McChrystal was to present the awards to the soldiers downrange. On Thursday, Christian Schmidt, Germany's assistant secretary of defense, thanked the soldiers and gave the families wine, flowers and ceramic bowls made by a Berlin manufacturer. "We are proud that we have you," he told the group while gritting his teeth adding that the gifts are meant to show the
Up to 40 Taliban members opened fire with heavy arms, and the German soldiers called a provincial reconstruction team in Kunduz for back up, according to German officials. During the fight, three wounded Germans were evacuated by the Americans amid firing by the Taliban. About two hours after the fighting started, the Germans were able to break away from the Taliban but a German armored car, a Dingo, hit a roadside bomb and four soldiers were wounded. The U.S. helicopter unit evacuated these troops and four others involved in fighting later on. After the fighting died down, another German company that took over for the first set of troops fired on two approaching cars, killing six Afghan soldiers. German Gen. Frank Leidenberger, commander of Regional Command-North, said it can be hard to tell friend from foe in adverse conditions. "We will do our best to support the relatives of our Afghan partners who were killed" in the incident, he said in a news release.
| ||
| Posted by:gromky |
| #11 Thank you for that memory, Mercutio dear. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-30 23:10 |
| #10 I recall a post here from early in the Iraq war. The first KIA's were being transported by a convoy in Germany and, all along the route, German Military and police stood at attention and saluted. Screw politicians everywhere, but those soldiers and cops were righteous. |
| Posted by: Mercutio 2010-04-30 16:20 |
| #9 Nimble, so where are they now? Helium? |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2010-04-30 15:52 |
| #8 The Germans are moving up the periodic table. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2010-04-30 14:46 |
| #7 Perhaps my comment came across as being too harsh. I read it that you wondered whether German troops were being allowed opportunities to do the kind of things that earn Gold Crosses, Dave UK. Everything I've read leads me to the conclusion that they aren't. Which as you say, must be very frustrating for them. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-30 14:25 |
| #6 Dave in the UK.... A big thanks for your rankers, paras, 22nd, mobilized Territorials, and folks at RAF Molesworth others helping us out. GSTQ! Your loyal servant, Besoeker |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-30 13:05 |
| #5 Perhaps my comment came across as being too harsh. I am certain that the German soldiers want to mix it with the Taliban more than they do, but are held back by cringing politicians at home. |
| Posted by: Dave UK 2010-04-30 12:59 |
| #4 German soldiers with Parachute Battalion 373 Hat tip to the Fallschirmjagers |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-30 12:56 |
| #3 One may not like the Germans but they do still recognize bravery and are willing to reward it. I'll raise my glass to them and the soldiers over this. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2010-04-30 12:07 |
| #2 This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, - Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3; W.Shakespeare |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2010-04-30 10:34 |
| #1 I wonder how many Germans have been awarded the " German Gold Cross Medal " for activities out in Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: Dave UK 2010-04-30 09:47 |
