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Mortar Attack Kills Two U.S. Soldiers, Wounds Another
Thursday, January 22, 2004 5:33 a.m. ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two U.S. soldiers were killed and one was critically wounded in a mortar and rocket attack on a U.S. military base near the restive central Iraq town of Baquba, the U.S. Army said Thursday.
"Last evening, we had a mortar attack on a forward operating base near Baquba which killed two soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and critically wounded another," Major Josslyn Aberle, a spokeswoman for the 4th Infantry Division, said.
She said rockets were also used in the attack, which lightly wounded several other soldiers, who were quickly returned to duty. The critically wounded soldier was in a stable condition, Aberle said.
"We were able to identify where the attack came from and responded by firing artillery shells at the location. There are no indications, however, that any insurgents were killed in our assault."
Iraqi insurgents have repeatedly attacked U.S. military installations around the town of Baquba, about 40 miles north of Baghdad, in recent months. U.S. forces carry out nearly daily raids in the area in an effort to eliminate the guerrilla threat.
The latest deaths bring to 349 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in action in Iraq since the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein was launched in March last year.
Copyright © 2003 Reuters Limited.
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Correction to Yesterday's DoD Casualty Report:
DoD erroneously reported the unit of PFC Cody J. Orr when they reported that he had been killed. PFC Orr was part of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, not 2-20 Field Artillery.
(We continue to pray for the families and fellow soldiers of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us).
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America's 'Kenya cowboy' in Iraq
By Alphonso Van Marsh
CNN
SAMARRA, Iraq (CNN) --In the middle of a former granary-turned U.S. military base in Samarra, Iraq, a U.S. soldier gently folds a Kenyan flag and puts it away. For Pfc. Michael Giraudo, a white 20-year-old with a slim build and quiet demeanor, the flag isn't a souvenir -- it is a symbol of home.
"People get a kick out of me. I'm from Kenya and I'm white," he says with a laugh. "It's not what people expect when they think of Kenya."
Giraudo, the son of a British nurse and American safari guide, was born and raised in the East African nation. Giraudo split his childhood between Nairobi's upscale, expatriate-heavy Karen district and the bush.
He says he was brought up running in open spaces with animals at his side and listening to Masai tribesmen tell stories about lion hunts.
"I guess you could call me a Kenya cowboy," Swahili-speaking Giraudo says of the moniker for rebellious, white, male youth who spend much of their time with black African Kenyans.
"While most of my friends would be studying and that sort of thing, I'd be out riding my dirt bike, or drinking beer with my buddies," he says, with an accent he describes as a mixture of British and African.
His father, Peter Giraudo, says his son was granted U.S. citizenship in 1991 even though he only visited America once as a child. "Michael was brought up to be proud of his heritage as best we could," he said in an e-mail.
That pride would be emboldened by two pivotal moments: the terror attacks on the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania; and the September 11th attacks on the United States.
"When I saw the planes hit the twin towers -- even though I had really never been in the United States, it really made me mad," Michael Giraudo says. "I decided something had to be done, somebody had to do something."
That something was to fulfill his long-standing fascination with the U.S. military by heading over to the new U.S. Embassy in Nairobi to enlist in the U.S. Army. But getting to boot camp wasn't easy, given post-9/11 tensions and security issues in the United States.
"The U.S. military was discouraging. We could not, despite endless efforts, get them to send us the information packs because we had an address in Kenya," Peter Giraudo said via e-mail. "Even going to the military attaches here in Kenya did not help. They just could not easily handle recruiting applications from overseas."
The younger Giraudo was so determined he moved to California, enlisted and finished Army basic training in 2002. Like many soldiers, he didn't escape boot camp without a nickname: "Kenya" was the obvious choice.
"One of the drill sergeants heard it and that was it, I was Kenya from then on," he says. "It was hard at first, getting to know the [American] culture and how to interact with people."
In Samarra, the Kenya cowboy's nickname is so often used that some of his fellow soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division forget his real name.
"They called him Kenya before I got to know him. I thought that was his last name," says his squad leader Darren Vogt, an army specialist. "We're always wearing flak vests, so I never saw his name tag."
The bullet-resistant vests are a must in Samarra, a flashpoint in the so-called Sunni Triangle, where insurgents have consistently launched attacks on coalition forces. Many residents there support Saddam Hussein, who is a Sunni Muslim -- a minority sect in the Shiite-majority nation.
"We've had some times where it has been pretty hairy. I've had an Iraqi 120 mm mortar round land about 15 feet from me and it didn't detonate. I've had an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) come through my window. Fortunately, no one was hurt." Giraudo says.
But the white African-American says he wants to be here: "I hoped for it. I wanted to get a chance to do my job and experience what really goes on when people go to war."
(Editor's Note: "Kenya's" father gets our updates daily in Africa. This piece has been ready to show on CNN for a couple of weeks but other news always bumped it off the schedule until now - I'm assuming it showed on CNN today, I didn't see it myself).
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Up-close seat for Bush address has sergeant feeling odd, awed
Soldier from Garland helped nab Hussein, sits in first lady's box
09:36 PM CST on Wednesday, January 21, 2004
By JIM FRY / The Dallas Morning News
WASHINGTON – Staff Sgt. Joey Wommack is by nature a quiet, reserved man. "I'm a scout in the Army," the Texan said when asked about his invitation to sit in first lady Laura Bush's box during the State of the Union address Tuesday evening.
He sat to Mrs. Bush's left, five seats over and four rows above the House chamber balcony seat traditionally occupied by a president's spouse during the annual pomp-laden tradition.
"I was like an outsider looking in," the soft-spoken soldier nearly whispered during an interview Wednesday at the Pentagon, recalling sitting in an audience of members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries and other dignitaries. "I kind of felt out of place, to a point," he said.
Sgt. Wommack, who assisted in the capture of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in December, received the invitation Saturday, when he was at home with his wife near Fort Hood, preparing to return to Iraq after his leave.
Tuesday night, parents Ted and Sandra Wommack of Garland watched intently as President Bush delivered his 54-minute address. They hoped to catch a glimpse of their son and were rewarded when the camera briefly stopped on him. The president didn't mention Sgt. Wommack but repeatedly thanked the troops for their sacrifice.
"They have taken the hardest duty," Mr. Bush said.
After the address, Sgt. Wommack met with the president and talked to him about Garland. The president offered thanks for his service in Iraq, said the soldier, who pronounced himself "awed" by the evening.
The 30-year-old 4th Infantry Division soldier was among seven military personnel invited to sit in the first lady's box to represent the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sgt. Wommack, the recipient of two Bronze Stars – one with a "V" for valor – joined his platoon in providing "area containment" while Special Forces soldiers hunted Mr. Hussein. The sergeant said he was dumbfounded that there was no firefight that day with Hussein loyalists.
"We saw what happened with [sons] Uday and Qusay and then we figured, you know, this is No. 1 and it'll be the same thing," Sgt. Wommack said. "And it ended up just pulling him out of a hole and taking him away."
Sgt. Wommack, son of an Army communications specialist, said he intends to make the Army his career, hoping he'll be able to move to the elite Special Operations team after his tour ends this year.
"It was my job when I first came in. Now, it's my life," he said.
Sgt. Wommack said that despite the excitement of the Washington trip, he'll be glad to jet back to Iraq by week's end to return to the dust and danger in the restive Tikrit area where his platoon patrols. "I'm just an average guy that wants to go back over and do his job," he said.
Jim Fry is a television reporter in Belo's Washington Bureau.
E-mail jfry@belo-dc.com
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The Value of a Rally Point
Most of you probably know what a 'rally point' is - your soldier learned about them in Basic Training. I started teaching my kids about them when they were toddlers and am teaching my grandkids about them now - we've never been on a family outing without progressive rally points being established along the way. For those of you who don't know what a 'rally point' is - it's a designated place to meet if your group gets split up. Soldiers who are ambushed or in a firefight know to move back to their latest designated rally point to regroup and continue the mission.
As our deployment comes to an end and our soldiers start leaving for new assignments, leave the Army, and scatter to the four winds for various other reasons, we need to designate a rally point so we can get back together again for a reunion. That reunion may not come for several years, but I can virtually guarantee that at some point in the future you will want to hook up with those soldiers and wives on the home front that you shared this memorable year with. Without a designated rally point, that becomes a very difficult task.
For 86 years, 4ID veterans (and all TF Ironhorse soldiers and wives are now 4ID veterans) have used the National 4th Infantry Division Association (4IDA) as their rally point. Our Association was formed by our soldiers at the end of World War I and has been a strong force ever since.
So, this is the first of many notices you will see from me over the next 69 days to encourage you to join the 4IDA. At a cost of $15 per year, it is very cheap insurance to be able to stay in touch with your friends. And my experience with WWII and Vietnam vets indicates that, in many cases, it is the wife who first got her husband enrolled in the Association and insured that he paid his dues each year. (Paid for Life Memberships are also available).
So how do you join the 4IDA? Very simple, go to www.4thinfantry.org and click on the "Membership Application" button on the left hand side of the home page.
You may want to use the soldier's permanent home address rather than a temporary address that will likely change over the next few months.
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Special Day for 1-22 Infantry
Each year on this date, I ask our 1-22 veterans to take this date that is named after them and use it to renew acquaintances with their old buddies that they haven't talked to in a long time. And this year it's even more of a special date for our 1-22 vets, not only is it 1-22 day, the year also covers our division. So - happy 1-22-04 to all the veterans, past and present, of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Luxembourg:
22 January 1945 - D+231
Enemy small arms fire was heavy from the emplacements of the Siegfried Line. The defensive line Malsdorf - Fouhren offered considerable resistance. Tanks were observed in various places.
The 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry attacked at 1030, utilizing supporting armor and made good progress, capturing some advantageous terrain. The 3rd Battalion continued to improve its defensive positions on the high ground facing the Our river while the 2nd Battalion remained in regimental reserve.
The 12th Infantry resumed the attack. The 1st Battalion began to push patrols down the draw to the northeast toward the Our river in the vicinity of Bettel. The 2nd Battalion in its advance encountered stiff resistance again in the vicinity of Fouhren. The 3rd Battalion advanced rapidly against little opposition and Company I captured and occupied the town of Walsdorf.
The 22nd Infantry continued to maintain defenses. At 1345, the 2nd Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion and moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of Haller.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I just wanted to let some of the families know that Southwestair.com has a lot of flight specials from 39.00--99.00 one way flights. I just booked a flight for 2 people and it only cost me 460.00 round trip for both of them to fly out here when our soldier arrives home. I don't have an actual date yet but I have a roundabout time. So please make sure to tell families to check Southwest Airlines out. They are by far the cheapest around right now (on internet sales).
2) My husband is in HHC, 1-12, 3BCT and the wives around me who also read your updates are always happy to share with others what you have shared with them. It truly is an amazing thing...the Army family. When my husband first joined in 1988 he went straight to the Rangers....3/75, of course after basic and airborne school. We were married in 1989 and I moved away from home to join him at Ft. Benning. What a wonderful experience that was...being a part of an Army family. We made memories and friends that will last a lifetime, and I see it happening again for us now, as part of the 4ID family. The experiences that one has during a time of crisis
certainly shape them into who they will be "tomorrow". Those experiences leave a lasting impression, sometimes good, sometimes deep and raw, but always worth looking to and learning from. ......And also..on the side...to let you know that I really miss Georgia!!! After 10 years total time at Ft. Benning...we realy felt as though it was home to us. So, I love it when you throw in there a little bit about Atlanta or anything Southern really!! :-) Enjoy a glass of Sweet Tea for me!! (Will do!)
3) I had an e-mail waiting for me when I got to school, from my son, SSG B Co. 1-22 Inf BN 4ID! Of course I had an ear-to-ear smile on my face! He had a list of goodies he wants me to send. One of them was Torengos chips and dip to go with it. At the time I didn't know that they were made by Pringles so I went up and down the aisles with no success. I went to a young stock clerk and told him that, "My son e-mailed me from Iraq this morning and he wants Torengos Chips and I'm having a hard time
finding them and his momma is going to do everything she can to make sure that she gets them for her son to mail to him!" He jumped at the challenge and within 1 minute - he found them for me! Mothers will do anything for their children - no matter how old they are! When I got home from school, 2 letters were waiting for me dated
December 22 and 27. My daughter-in-law called and also had 2 letters waiting with the same dates! So this confirms that the letters are taking almost 4 weeks to get to the States.
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