Laptop Report From Fullujah, Iraq Battlefield
[FULLUJAH, IRAQ--April 29, 2004--Tom Flocco.com--The following battlefield report was just made available to us. It is introduced by the individual who received it; however, we have redacted certain portions of the email to protect the identity of the Marine telling the story. Click on FULL STORY below to read the laptop email.]
Recipient of the email: Here is another first hand Sit Rep [Situation Report] from the lap-top of xxxxxxxxxx in Fullujah. xxxxx Company, xxxxx Battalion, xxxx Marine Regiment, is in the thick of combat against the bad guys. The xxxxxxx speaks of "extreme prejudice and violent action!"
4-29-2004
XXXXXXXXX,
I'm back and here we go..Now for an update.....Currently Company XXXXXXX has XXXX wounded and XXX KIA's.....wild huh?...mostly small shrapnel and eardrums, but had a Marine lose an XXXX and 1, a XXXX ...This place is too messed up to explain...We have been living in the northwest of Fallujah for 3 weeks now....Actually living in some homes we confiscated...across from us about 300 yards is the downtown area of Fallujah...We are shot at every night.
We are mortared a lot as well...We always are firing back with our snipers and/or machine guns....It's almost surreal..We could be playing cards..we hear gunshots and booms..we keep playing....no big deal...
Today, I have to tell you about TODAY and our gun battle. We started receiving sniper fire from this Mosque/ tower...then some bad guys threw grenades at our position..... on our roofs...Marines got wounded and Marines fought these $%^%$ close in. Frags were thrown and massive 5.56 was used in close prox.
Anyway, XXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX casualties evacuation and accountability...So, hearing I have wounded, I jump in my hardened highback with my company corpsman and 4 security guys and rush to the scene...I've never been shot at so much in my life....
During the medivac, AK-47's were firing at us 10 yards away....I would fire my M-16 with one hand while I was running back and forth....OH MY GOD>>> I think Carl Lewis would be proud of my speed getting these boys loaded up. Anyway, XXXX wounded today, 1 died....I actually broke down and had the chaplain say a prayer while I hugged this guy's head....He was a good Marine.....
I am back in the rear tonight to rest my hurt back and rest my
%^%$# brain.... NEVER have I had so much blood around me....
But you know what, PAYBACK is just around the %$#@# corner and I WILL not falter. I WILL get these boys ready to show no mercy and rid this town of this CANCER. Extreme prejudice and violence of action....I really have nothing intelligent to say...Just numb....I take these boys too personal sometimes.....
We ARE the purple Heart Company..XXXXXX strength, XXX WIA [wounded in action], XXX KIA [killed in action]...1/X of the company with 5 months to go...Hell YEAH>>>>> God Bless our Corpsman and our Chaplains...They make a big difference out here....and God Bless Marine Corps fixed wing, Rotary gunships, artillery, mortars, machine guns and Iraqi bodybags....
Out for now...
XXXXXXXXX