time line

There was so much that day and I hope I hit everything. Let me start out with SGT Moses and his team. They were the rear security for the convoy. Due to the fact that the area was long more than wide, our security had their own areas of concern. Once the fighting began, they had the brunt of the force coming at us from the rear.

SGT Moses was cut off from me and had to step up to the plate and take charge. Since there was so much going on over the radio, he was unable to relay information to me. He directed his team to dig in and keep a mob that was forming from getting any closer. The mob then pulled several weapons out and began firing on the team. With the help of his gunner, SPC Gerberg, and his driver, SPC Paehl, they were able to keep our rear secured.

All three had there hands full not only covering the rear but three alleys that were being used to transport more ammunition and equipment to the enemy. Keeping these people away from the rear assisted in our safe security and eventual egress. The rear is always the hardest. Even after regressing out, SGT Moses and his team had their hands full trying to keep off the enemy that were left still trying to take the convoy.

SGT Thompson was the middle security; His team was with the money and escorted vehicles and personnel. He played as the relay person once we got our communications back up. He would relay from me to SGT Moses and back. While the fighting was going on, his team came under fire from enemy in the windows of the buildings that surrounded us. His Gunner, SPC Martinez, could not use her main gun, the MK19, because of the narrow high buildings.

She switched to the drivers M249 and laid down direct fire on the enemy gunners positions. While she held the gunners heads down, it gave SGT Thompson and SPC Zick time to move into place and take them out. Her quick response and knowledge of the multiple weapons systems, provided the time for her team to secure a location and take out the enemy gunners.

You must understand that these soldiers that I speak of were positioned on top of their vehicle with really no cover other than a shield that has proven less than adequate for protection.

She stood there and continued to hold down the enemy forces so that her team could move into place. SGT Thompson and SPC Zick moved as a two person team into a return fire position so when SPC Martinez stopped firing, they would have a clear shot at the enemy gunmen. The enemy, seeing that the return fire had stopped, stepped out and began firing again not knowing that SGT Thompson and SPC Zick were waiting there for them. This team continued this method until all the enemy gunmen utilizing the building for cover where taken out. This all occurred with SGT Thompson's direct leadership and knowledge. This team reacted to fire and never once showed one bite of fear. I must add that SPC Martinez was one of only few females to see direct combat as a gunner. Her actions show that women can stand toe to toe with men in combat. But it is sad to say that SPC Martinez was not recognized that day for her actions. They turned down the ARCOM recommendation that SSG Jones put her in for. Since the award was not an award for valor such as a Bronze Star or even an ARCOM "V", it was turned down.

Now on to my team, I spoke to you about how we would have been taken by surprise if it was for SPC Matheson. Being aware of his surroundings, he was able to give the heads up before the attack started. This gave us the ability to get ready and fight back.

With the team work of SPC Matheson and SPC McGeehan, they were able to hold off the first wave of attacks by moving the vehicle to block the fire into the convoy and return fire at the same time. SPC Matheson began returning fire with both his 50 cal and M4 while SPC McGeehan assisted in supporting the 12 and the alley to his left where the enemy was trying to flank us. The main force was coming from the front and from the alleyway's.

While SPC Matheson covered the 12, I moved to an alleyway where I observed six enemy attempting to flank us. I stepped into the alleyway and stopped the approach using my 12 gauge shotgun. Since there were too many and at such a close range, my M4 may not have been able to take them out, thus the reason I used the shotgun. After running out of rounds, the shotgun only hold 6 rounds, I then began using my M4 holding back the enemy from that alley. While the fight went on, a Rocket Propelled Grenade was shot towards my location striking the wall I was using for cover. The blast threw me back into the streets. The blast knocked me off my feet and dumbfounded for a minute. SPC Matheson turned his 50 cal and began covering me until I could recover. SPC McGeehan took his place in stopping the enemy forces from the front until I was clear and SPC Matheson could take back up the front. If it wasn't for them working together and both holding back the enemy and covering me, I may not be here today writing this letter. Those two saved my life that day. Once I regained my senses I started fighting again.

Once I got the 'ok' that the money transfer was complete, I gave the order to move out. Our egress was blocked by several vehicles that the enemy placed knowing that was our way out. With the knowledge of what his vehicle could do, SPC McGeehan began ramming the vehicles out of the way to clear a path for the convoy. The area was at a "T" intersection where they set up gunmen on both sides. As we traveled through, they began firing. Each of our gunner's had to face off to these odds while passing through that tunnel of hell. They fought back and kept the convoy going.

After making it through the first blockade, we made it through the traffic circle where a lone gunman began running toward the convoy. The movement was up to 35 MPH at that time. The gunman had what appeared to be a weapon in one hand and a black bag in the other. He held the bag in a way where it appeared that he was about to throw it at the lead vehicle, us. If you stop the lead vehicle, the convoy stops. SPC Matheson again with his expert aim killed the individual stopping him short of reaching the convoy. This action was on the move at 35 mph with an M4 rifle.

Just up the road an enemy vehicle pulled into the roadway blocking us again. Without having to be told to do so, SPC McGeehan sped up and rammed the blockade clearing again a stoppage in the convoy. While all this was going on in the front, SGT Thompson's team continued to fight both on their left and right while they received fire from the roof tops and alleyways.

SGT Moses had to keep all vehicles away from the rear of the convoy and eliminate all hostile fire that wasn't already taken out. The squad secured the convoy outside the city and provided first aid to one of the members of the convoy that was shot in the leg. We continued on to Brassfield-Mora where we took the wounded to the aid station. We returned to our Base Camp and began reloading. We all knew that we still had a squad in the city and we were going in to get them out. We received a call to stand down minutes later and returned to camp.

Edited from a 2003 letter by SSG Bryan M. Cope, Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon, 1st Squad, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.