Men at War: Come Home with Your Shield, or On It
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During the mission
08 August 2011
Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
The men here can be seen saluting senior officers, while saying, “Sir, with your shield or on it.” This is the mantra of Task Force Spartan.
On the morning of 30 July, members of 4-4Cav boarded CH-47 helicopters and at 0300 landed in the middle of a Taliban stronghold. Over the next 48 hours, there were at least 27 firefights. The number taken for confirmed enemy killed was eleven, though likely the actual number was considerably higher. During the first day, one of our Soldiers was shot in the face and badly wounded. His buddies say that had he not then played dead, the enemy surely would have killed him. His buddies, braving close and accurate machinegun fire, managed to rescue the wounded Soldier from a roof. A Blackhawk MEDEVAC took him away as we watched from a few hundred meters distance.
Afghans do not pave roads. If you are driving on pavement here, chances are nearly 100% that someone from afar is behind it. Afghans build walls, and so in this war, we need thousands of ladders. It’s common to see troops during intense firefights shooting from ladders.
The three Spartan troops from 4-4Cav who were shot during this mission were all shot on rooftops. Now, before the armchair generals chime in with advice on fighting positions, please don’t. It’s not needed unless said experts are right here, right now.
On 31 July, another firefight unfolded. The element I was with was maybe two or three hundred meters away as the crow flies. Thousands of bullets seemed to be fired, there were dozens of explosions and the Kiowa Warrior and Apache helicopters joined in with rockets, cannon fire, and machine guns. We only watched and waited for any enemy to stumble in front of our shooting positions. The Soldiers’ weapons were ready, as was my Canon. At the moment, our compound was not under attack, though the first Soldier who had been shot in the face the day before had been at our current compound, which was complete with heaps of marijuana drying in the sun.
Word came on the radio that PFC Brice Scott had been shot in the face just as had happened the day before.
This flight is taking PFC Scott on the first leg of his journey home.
Maybe 15-20 minutes after PFC Scott was shot, a MEDEVAC helicopter swooped in dangerously and picked him up. Brice Scott had already died and was going home on his shield, having been shot on the rooftop.
The rooftop were Brice Scott died.
Our element moved to the compound where Scott had been hit. There was a flurry of activity as Soldiers were quickly redistributing ammunition, and others had disassembled their weapons for quick cleaning before the next fight. Two pigeons landed on the roof only feet from where Brice Scott had been mortally wounded.
Another Soldier had been on the roof when Brice was hit, and this Soldier was shot in the ribs. The bullet was stopped by his SAPI plate. He said it felt like he had been stabbed. Other Soldiers said that the troop who had been shot in the ribs collected his wits and stayed in the fight.
During the fight, an Afghan Soldier, trying to help, grabbed an M320 40mm grenade launcher. He negligently fired the 40mm grenade, which skipped off the ground and hit a US Soldier named Labadie. The grenade struck Labadie’s helmet but did not explode. SFC Aaron Causey, an EOD Soldier, saw the grenade, picked it up and hurled it like a baseball out of the compound. Meanwhile, other EOD Soldiers were engaged in the firefight.
When we arrived, troops were redistributing ammunition before the next round of fighting might begin. A troop called up to the roof asking for 40mm grenade ammunition and the Soldier tossed down some rounds while keeping eye on his sector.
The troops would stay up for hours on end wearing full kit, with no shade, no clouds, baking in the sun. In this particular compound, the enemy was able to sneak in close through the grape vineyards.
Brice had been hit on the roof. While under direct fire, he was lowered to the medics who worked in vain to save him. Here they are standing just by the spot where Brice had been lowered.
Comments
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Thanks for the poignant tribute to PFC Brice Scott. Our hearts ache and swell for Dell, Celina and Mia... may Brice rest in peace. We shall always remember.
Michael, were those stacks destroyed?
I ask because of what someone commented on one of your other posts about our men having to win hearts and minds by fighting with one hand tied behind their backs.
Guns and ammo cost a lot of money. How are the Taliban financing this war other than growing drug crops?
Rest in peace dear Soldier in God's loving arms.
Thank you for this amazing article about Pfc. Brice Scott, he was a great soldier but more importantly to me he was a treasured cousin. We have been sorting the details about his death and this gives some much needed clarification. While it is extremely heart-wrenching to look at your photos it fills me with pride to see his fellow soldiers honoring him and the obvious impact Brice had made on them.
Thank you again.
Years ago, that sort of thing upset me -- then one day I realized what an incredible thing it is to live in a country where people can grow up in peace, live normal lives, and do normal things, despite the conflicts and distress of much of the world around us all.
God bless America.
My condolences to the family of PFC Scott.
( orders or not )question your actions. As a trained combatant.
(retired/report er or not)
In regards to you manning a weapon in the
heat of battle. You my BROTHER were trying to save CSM Prosser and LTC Kurilla, you are programmed this way ( no changing that ) while two soldiers whom were tasked with the responsibility ( GOD BLESS THEM )froze in the heat of battle and could not perform their duty. Thank God you did what you did. I guess what I mean is that it wasn't David Muir or Martha Radditz that picked up that M4. How could the major say anything to you but THANK YOU?.
Rest in peace now, PFC Scott. To his family and friends, may you find peace and solace, knowing that Brice will forever be loved and honored as a great warrior and an American hero, and your sacrifice is gratefully acknowledged.
in the Afghan war. As with Vietnam, the politics endanger our people. The top commanders really have their hands tied with the armchair Washington politically correct morons.
God will have a place for PFC Scott and will have Grace for his family.
Please keep reporting what is going on over here, America needs to know that we are still at war and our sons and daughters and fighting and dying honorably. From the men at FOB SHANK JPO MRAP, we thank and love you all.
Thank you Michael for sharing these stories and photos in an honest, respectful way.
So called "news" organizations should be ashamed at their lack of honor, lack of respect, lack of seeking and sharing of the truth. They have been outclassed by a brave individual sharing stories and daily life of other brave individuals.
I sign this with a mix of humility, awe, respect, pride, sadness, and gratitude.
God bless!
God Bless you our Heroes!
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