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A few days or weeks after the ground offensive in
Iraq/Kuwait, we setup one of many check points along the highway somewhere
between Al Basrah and An Nasiriyah. We basically parked our tank in
the middle of the north-western bound traffic so that any oncoming
automobile or truck had to stop.
The day started just like any other, until a huge
amount of traffic started piling up at our check point. We were 1 tank
with 5 soldiers and at the peak point there were probably 150-200 cars,
trucks and buses. We called for some assistance but it would be hours
before they could arrive. I decided that I would go on a little
reconnaissance mission, alone, deep into the traffic looking for suspicious
things. How naive and careless I was. I had a weapon, but I was
more likely to die than to kill. I walked about 400 yards deep into
the traffic where the end of the jam is and I see a medium size bus
maneuvering around the other parked cars and buses. One car further
forward notices this bus moving up from behind and decides to block its path
forward. An argument and a small altercation ensued.
I reached into my holster, pulled out my .45 pistol, loaded a round into the chamber and said again “move your car back to the end of the line.” By this time there were probably 200 people circling me and the arguers. I had a loaded weapon in my hand. There was total silence………...My heart began to pound so hard that I could feel its beat in my ear drums. I could feel the heat rising in my face as the blood rushed to it, I felt a tingling sensation in my fingers and toes and I felt almost out of body...numb…limp. I had no idea how I was going to get out of this, I was unable to think. After what felt like eternity, but was probably less than 1 minute, an older Iraqi man who I did not know, approached me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said in broken English “no gun need”. It took a moment to grasp what was meant, but it wasn’t long before I had removed the round from my pistol and put it back in the holster. I didn’t say anything to the man, however, I realized that most attention had turned away from me and I walked away as fast as possible. I never mentioned to anyone what took place. The specific event is not the traumatic part. I think a lot (too much) about what could have happened to me. I am thankful to the Iraqi man who took a risk by speaking to an armed 19 year old who was obviously in a serious situation which he could not control nor remove himself from. |
We would search the
vehicles and individuals for any military paraphernalia, military personnel
or weapons. We would take prisoner or confiscate items if they were
found. I am writing this story to share one of the most terrifying
events I have ever experienced.
I walk over to the group,
alone, all eyes turn towards me. I say in English, “move your car back
to the end of the line.” No action was taken. The argument
started up again.
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