They acted as if they were in no particular rush, and they raised me up gently and carried me to an open spot on the ground to the right of the cockpit and set me down carefully in the dust. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? Of the four man crew, only Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived, suffering a crushed vertebra and comminuted fracture to his left femur. When they reached the downed Super 64, Gordon and Shughart extracted the pilot, Chief Warrant OfficerMichael Mike Durant, and the other crew members from the aircraft. Gordon's request was twice rejected by higher command due to the danger from the number of militants converging on the crash site. I used an Aimpoint PRO for the optic and I kept the original mount on the Aimpoint PRO; I just removed the spacer to make it sit lower. as well as other partner offers and accept our. As a Delta operator, he advanced to Team Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. Several months later, he completed the pre-ranger course, obtained a spot at Ranger School and earned his Ranger Tab. Both Delta snipers, Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, are portrayed in the Hollywood blockbuster Black Hawk Down. Available Ranger forces on the ground could not assist the downed helicopter crew of the second crash site as they were already engaged in heavy combat with Somalis militia and making their way to the first crash site. By the fall of 1992, the nation of Somalia was war-torn and ravaged by famine. Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? The United Nations tried to aid with the resulting famine, but its food rations were seized by local warlords. Shughart returned to the battle alone and was killed shortly after. Privacy Policy. Among her accomplishments are being the Founder of the true crime blog, Stories of the Unsolved, which garners between 400,000 and 500,000 views annually, and a contributor for John Lordans Seriously Mysterious podcast. ", The police department said that while it may have been a case of vandalism that it could have also been a "work in progress" with gold lettering on the engravings. Delta Force operatives dont typically wear a uniform and, even when they do, the nature of that uniform is classified and no one outside of the Unit would be able to recognize it. Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant was already defending the aircraft with an MP5 but was unable to move from his chair due to a crushed vertebra in his back and a comminuted fracture of his left femur. Shughart left active duty and went into the Army Reserve in June 1980. By this time, more Somali militiamen were arriving intent on either capturing or killing the American servicemen. A combat search and rescue (CSAR) team was sent in to secure the survivors. His actions saved the pilot's life. Shughart was assigned to Delta Force and was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June 1986. Shugart was the first one to be mortally wounded at about the same time he ran out of ammo. In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. [7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. Police officers from Maine are investigating a possible vandalism case of a gravestone belonging to US Army Master Sgt. "I don't know if someone was trying to clean it or [refresh] it. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons)Gordon wanted to assist the helicopter, but his request was denied. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. For their efforts during the Battle of Mogadishu, Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. After putting the gun back together, I ended up putting on a National Match leather sling to get the same look from the film. Master Sergeant Gordon continued to travel the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. [12] He then proceeded to openly criticize the president, telling him, "You are not fit to be president of the United States. . "We've had a lot of people come forward wanting to help. The mob finds him, and they start to beat him until one of Aidid's lieutenant's stops them and claims Durant as a hostage for the warlord. A smoke grenade gave Gordon and Shughart some cover as they fought their way 100 yards through a shantytown to the downed craft. Gary I. Gordon was born in Lincoln, Maine, and graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1978. Their 'Go bag'. Shughart-Gordon Urban Operations Training Center ("MOUT Site"), US Army Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. On October 3, 1993, during an assault mission to apprehend advisors to the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. The MSG Gary Gordon and hisDelta Forcesniper teammatesSFC Randall Shughartand SFC Brad Hallings, who were providing sniper cover from the air, wanted to be dropped at the second crash site to protect the four critically wounded crew. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. Sergeant First Class Shughart's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him-self, his unit and the United States Army. Legendary Delta Force operator Norm Hooten talks about his storied career, his scariest moment, and the one thing to always remember in a firefight. The award read in part: "Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army.". All rights reserved. In December 1983, Shughart returned to active duty and the following year attended Special Forces training. Gary I. Gordon, for their actions on Oct. 3, 1993. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Kings University College at Western University, her portfolio includes coverage of digital media, current affairs, history and true crime. Shughart was buried in Carlilse, Pennsylvania and Gordon in Penobscot County, Maine. At Ft. Polks JRTC, the largest town inside of The Box is named Shughart-Gordon. "Gordon was the epitome of the dependable individual who so believes in taking responsibility that he gives his life to protect his fellow men," Fred Borch, author of "For Military Merit: Recipients of the Purple Heart," told IBD. Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? Both mens bodies were recovered. This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 02:43. Mission commanders felt it too dangerous and believed the snipers would be of more assistance in the air. Armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site and made their way to the downed Black Hawk. When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. Oops, there's been an error. Both Shughart and Gordon were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their selfless sacrifice, the first time it had been awarded since the Vietnam war. He was not there at night since he was on the convoy that finally returned to base after failing to reach the crash site. Eighteen American troops died in the ensuing 18-hour battle, including three of the four pilots in the downed Black Hawk. The first phase of the assault went well, but shortly after an initial step, one of the Armys Black Hawk helicopters providing insertion and air support to the assault team, was shot down and crashed the downtown in the hostile controlled area. Instead of being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his mother, Betty, said he would have "wanted to. The USNS Shughart is currently the lead ship in her class, and is capable of carrying 48 track vehicles, 58 tanks, and over 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. Eighteen Americans were killed. Live The Armory Life. [6] Shughart's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Westminster Cemetery, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Immediately after the battle, the Somalis counted 25 of their own men dead with many more severely wounded. Their request was denied by command twice, but the men persisted. His actions saved the pilots life. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Shell also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance. 2000-2023 Investor's Business Daily, LLC. Two years later, the government of Somalia was overthrown and a civil war erupted. . ". In the ensuing battle two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were shot down. While providing critical suppressive fire at the second crash site, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the site. The Shughart-Gordon MOUT site was named for Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. As such, the US Army sent in its Special Forces to protect the humanitarian efforts and prevent the continued rise of the warlords. (from the Bowdens notes: this is because he was at most liberty to talk about the events). Gordon and two sergeant first class subordinates, Shughart and Brad Hallings, had been providing fire cover from another helicopter, but they knew this wasn't enough if the crew of the second downed chopper was to be saved. Durant acknowledged that he might have been wrong in his identification but was reluctant to push for the record to be changed since he was not sure. The optic is sitting right on top of the action. The only way to rescue survivors was for the Gordon-Shughart-Hallings copter to go in. 1st Class Randall Shughart, a 35-year-old from Newville, Pa., who so loved the military that he made his wife, Stephanie, promise never to ask him to quit? The term M1A is a proprietary title for Springfield Armorys M14-pattern rifle. Despite having inflicted heavy casualties against the Somalis, the two Delta snipers were too outnumbered and outgunned. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. Learn all the ways IBDs top investing tools can help you succeed in the market! In spite of these deficiencies, however, Black Hawk Down is a very realistic, historically accurate portrayal of modern war and tells a relevant and powerful story in an almost flawless example of an American war movie. ", The pilot wrote: "He sounded almost irritated, like this was just going to make things harder for him. What is the white stuff in my gas fireplace? "The support, people coming forward financially to repair and things like that has been amazing to see," a Lincoln Police Department officer said to Insider. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Springfield Armory recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a I chose to get the FDE stock Standard Issue M1A from Springfield Armory. Gordon and Shughart lost their lives in the assault. They could have taken a belt of 7.62 ammo from the door gunner and delinked it. 1st Class Randy Shughart, who gave their lives to save their fellow soldiers during the fierce Battle of Mogadishu, are the focus of the latest graphic novel in the Association of the U.S. Army's series on recipients of the nation's highest award for valor. First, let's give them their due. As they monitored the downing of the 2nd Blackhawk it was evident that ground forces would not be available anytime soon to secure the crash site and protect the crew of four, whom all survived the crash. Medal of Honor recipients For their efforts during the Battle of Mogadishu, Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. However, it added that the family "was never notified that this was happening. On October 3, 1993, they engaged in Operation Gothic Serpent, a joint-force assault mission to apprehend key advisers to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Somali warlord. He then drew his pistol and held off the attackers as long as possible, eventually being mortally wounded. Law enforcement officers from Maine are investigating a possible vandalism case of a gravestone belonging to US Army Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. The information and content are subject to change without notice. Master Sergeant Gordons extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon, his unit and the United States Army. So, feel free to visit and check it out. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. There are few military servicemen who have received the Medal of Honor and had their actions portrayed in a Hollywood movie. certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. The Army task force did capture Aidid's advisers, but at high cost. 1st Class Randall D. Shughart and Master Sgt. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Shughart deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger operations. The Aimpoint PRO has a nearly identical aesthetic to the CompM and can still be put in a singular scope ring should you desire that. But, as you will see, this setup is very close to the one in the movie. Gordons body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. Master Sgt. They become legends. Sergeant First Class Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft, establishing a perimeter which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most vulnerable position. He initially served with the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Special Forces, then became a sniper for the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, better known as Delta Force an elite Army anti-terror unit. Two Delta Force operators Master Sgt. They were only armed with their sniper rifles and pistols. and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. The first thing you need is an M1A, of course. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. It was later reported Durant initially misidentified who was killed first, but did not wish to change the official record. In 1978, he was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. ", Suddenly Durant heard Gordon say, "Damn. This rifle is a fantastic foundation for a project like this. In the movie, there is a single scope ring at the front of the receiver holding an Aimpoint CompM. Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. The Lincoln Police Department on Tuesday announced it was "with an extremely heavy heart" to report that the gravestone of Gordon, a native of the city, may have been vandalized within the last two weeks. . His actions saved the pilots life. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Gordon and Shughart were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger. Shortly after, Randy Shughart was killed, and Durant was taken alive. Shughart and Gordon were both awarded purple hearts and medals of honor for their bravery and sacrifice. SFC Brad Hallings assumed a miniguns control after a crew chief was injured and was not inserted with Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon. Who was the real hoot in Black Hawk Down? The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. Immediately after the battle, the Somalis counted at least 25 of their men dead, with much more severely wounded. Shortly after, Shughart was killed, the site was overrun and Durant was taken hostage. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. On May 23, 1994, President Clinton awarded Gordon and Shughart the Medal of Honor, joining just 3,000 others in . Im drawn to all the obvious ones that most people with the same interests are. On May 23, 1994, Gordon and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration for valor under . His request was denied twice before finally being approved on the third request. The ship was the first "Large Medium Speed Roll On/Roll Off (LMSR) ship" to undergo conversion from a commercial container vessel to a sealift cargo ship.[14]. Citation: Sergeant First Class Shughart, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Sniper Team Member, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. The battle was a disaster for coalition troops and resulted in a major strategic victory for Somali National Alliance forces, with American, Malaysian and Pakistani forces suffering heavy losses. They did that, even though large numbers of armed Somali militia were converging the area. At his death, he was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Armys premier special operations unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), also known as Delta Force. Learn how you can make more money with IBD's investing tools, top-performing stock lists, and educational content. [3] It is believed that Gordon was the first of the two to be killed by the surrounding mob. Through negotiation and threats to the Habr Gidr clan leaders by ambassador Robert B. Oakley, all the bodies were eventually recovered. Then there is Chief Instructor Grant LaVelle, who has decades of experience training Marines, police officers and citizens alike. In our content, you will see two faces regularly. Who were the 2 soldiers in Black Hawk Down? On October 3, 1993, during Operation Gothic Serpent, an assault mission to apprehend advisers to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. and our Positioned approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Self Airfield, Shughart-Gordon is the largest of the three sites. "Many believed that it would not last long and would encounter little opposition.". Several months later, he completed a pre-ranger course (currently known as SURT, Small Unit Ranger Tactics), was granted a slot to attend Ranger School, graduated, and earned the Ranger Tab. Gordon's lesson is that when something is crucial, push hard. They were tasked to provide sniper support from the air during the battle, but things went wrong after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. Before deploying with his unit to Somalia, he married his wife Carmen, and together they had two children. Like I said earlier, I didnt do anything that wasnt strictly aesthetic. In the movie, which was released in 2001, it looks as if the rifle has a split rail mount. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart and Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, were two Delta Force snipers who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. After his team member was fatally wounded and his own rifle ammunition exhausted, Master Sergeant Gordon returned to the wreckage, recovering a rifle with the last five rounds of ammunition and gave it to the pilot with the words, good luck. Then, armed only with his pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon continued to fight until he was fatally wounded. The U.N. declared an end to the mission in April 1994. While a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) team went to secure it, a second Super Six-Four was also downed. Michael Durant, the pilot of the second downed chopper, wrote in "In the Company of Heroes": "To me, they were like Batman and Robin, only much better, and they just walked up to my aircraft like they were out for a stroll in the park. Gary. The blame for my son's death rests with the White House and with you. 1 Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? Gordon, 33, was a sniper team leader with the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, otherwise known as "Delta Force.". After his time with the Marines, Grant served as a SWAT sniper. He kept repeating his request twice until he finally received permission to engage. When the smoke had cleared, its said that there were 25 dead Somali attackers scattered around the site. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Rob Guzzo: The Tragic Story of a Dedicated Navy SEAL, The Day of the Rangers: An unforgettable moment in military history. Who fell out of the helicopter in Black Hawk Down? [1], Shughart joined the United States Army while attending Big Spring High School in Newville, entering upon graduation in 1976. Shughart was assigned to 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) and transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June 1986. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. Gary Gordon and Sgt. Michael Durant Below is a excerpt of American Valor's interview with Michael Durant whose life was saved by Medal of Honor recipients Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart. In attendance were a number of Navy officials and politicians, including Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and John W. Douglass. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Theres an on-going debate on whos tougher: a Navy SEAL or a member of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachments Delta Unit, a.k.a. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. Helicopter with call sign Super 61 (Super Six One). A Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down first, and later that day the Black Hawk helicopter Super Six-Four was shot down. As for the Shughart M14, its an extremely iconic weapon, and Im proud to have one that resembles that legendary rifle. Brad Halling, a master sergeant in the U.S. Army special forces, or Green Beret, was part of a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter team that rapelled onto the Olympic Hotel in Mogadishu with the aim of capturing some top aides to fugitive warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Sergeant First Class Shughart provided precision sniper fires from the lead helicopter during an assault on a building and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapon fire and numerous rocket propelled grenades. A CSRT (Combat Search and Rescue team) was dispatched to the first crash site to secure it, and a short time later, another Black Hawk, Super 64 (Super Six Four), was shot down as well. Designed to support up to a battalion-level assault, this . His actions saved the pilots life. On October 3, 1993, during an assault mission to apprehend advisors to the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. Eversmann is the clearest example of this. Once on the ground, they were armed with only their weapons and sidearms.
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