Post by torpedo on Sept 7, 2019 22:11:38 GMT
Marine RaiderMarine Raider Staff Sergeant Robert Van Hook ambushed a group of insurgents, then chased the survivors into their compound, killing more and taking two prisoners. The next day, when he got word that another unit nearby was under attack from three sides, SSgt Van Hook manned a Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher on a rooftop to suppress the enemy fire. His raining grenades shifted the enemy fire onto his own position. An RPG exploded over his head, knocking him unconscious and flipping the huge gun on top of him. When he came to, he rolled the gun upright, applied a tourniquet to his leg above a ghastly wound left by the explosion, and resumed firing. When he could no longer feel his leg, and the overwhelming fire continued, a corpsman convinced him to leave the rooftop. SSgt Van Hook then called in medevac choppers and danger-close mortar fire to help clear the LZ. For his heroism and boldness under fire, SSgt Van Hook was awarded the Silver Star.
"Any Raider could have been switched out with me and done the same exact thing," he said. "A Raider isn't going to let anybody down: not the brothers that went before him, not the Marine beside him. He might have done it differently, but he would have got the job done."
"... serving as Element Leader, Marine Special Operations Team 8224, Special operations Task Force-West, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, from 14 to 15 August 2013 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During an Operation in Herat Province, Sergeant Van Hook executed a hasty ambush on 10 insurgents, wounding 2 and killing 4. He then aggressively attacked an enemy held building with hand grenades and small arms resulting in an additional killed insurgent and two detainees. Sergeant Van Hook continued to orchestrate both direct and indirect fires on the enemy with distinction as the operation continued. Later as a separate but mutually supporting position was attacked with overwhelming fire, he courageously manned a MK-19 position which had been abandoned due to heavy targeting by enemy fire in order to suppress and lift the enemies accurate fire from friendly forces. His effects on the enemy caused them to focus their efforts back to his position, targeting him with a rocket propelled grenade and machine gun fire which resulted in his wounding and temporarily rendering him unconscious. Despite his wounds affecting his ability to walk, he continued to direct fires on the enemy while under enemy fire, aggressively led his element, and ultimately played a pivotal role in coordinating 120mm mortar danger close suppressive fires for aerial medical evacuation during approach into a hot landing zone.", then chased the survivors into their compound, killing more and taking two prisoners. The next day, when he got word that another unit nearby was under attack from three sides, SSgt Van Hook manned a Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher on a rooftop to suppress the enemy fire. His raining grenades shifted the enemy fire onto his own position. An RPG exploded over his head, knocking him unconscious and flipping the huge gun on top of him. When he came to, he rolled the gun upright, applied a tourniquet to his leg above a ghastly wound left by the explosion, and resumed firing. When he could no longer feel his leg, and the overwhelming fire continued, a corpsman convinced him to leave the rooftop. SSgt Van Hook then called in medevac choppers and danger-close mortar fire to help clear the LZ. For his heroism and boldness under fire, SSgt Van Hook was awarded the Silver Star.
"Any Raider could have been switched out with me and done the same exact thing," he said. "A Raider isn't going to let anybody down: not the brothers that went before him, not the Marine beside him. He might have done it differently, but he would have got the job done."
"... serving as Element Leader, Marine Special Operations Team 8224, Special operations Task Force-West, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, from 14 to 15 August 2013 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During an Operation in Herat Province, Sergeant Van Hook executed a hasty ambush on 10 insurgents, wounding 2 and killing 4. He then aggressively attacked an enemy held building with hand grenades and small arms resulting in an additional killed insurgent and two detainees. Sergeant Van Hook continued to orchestrate both direct and indirect fires on the enemy with distinction as the operation continued. Later as a separate but mutually supporting position was attacked with overwhelming fire, he courageously manned a MK-19 position which had been abandoned due to heavy targeting by enemy fire in order to suppress and lift the enemies accurate fire from friendly forces. His effects on the enemy caused them to focus their efforts back to his position, targeting him with a rocket propelled grenade and machine gun fire which resulted in his wounding and temporarily rendering him unconscious. Despite his wounds affecting his ability to walk, he continued to direct fires on the enemy while under enemy fire, aggressively led his element, and ultimately played a pivotal role in coordinating 120mm mortar danger close suppressive fires for aerial medical evacuation during approach into a hot landing zone."