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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Soldier gets Silver Star for use of Damaged weapon |
| 2004-08-21 |
| EFL I decided to leave a title unaltered. The kid's actions shouldn't be cheapened by my desire for a cheapshot at Kerry. ... In all the chaos, Pfc. Christopher Fernandez saw the stricken vehicle's M-240B machine gun was unused. Acting on instinct, Fernandez knew that another weapon would suppress the enemy's fire long enough to evacuate the wounded and leave the area. He left his vehicle, ran to the disabled humvee and recovered the weapon and its ammunition. Fernandez then opened fire on the enemy. What made all of that spectacular was the recovered weapon's condition, said Pugsley. The hand guards covering the machine-gun's barrel, so the gunner's hands won't burn, were blown off in the explosion. That didn't matter to Fernandez though; he kept firing even though his hands were burning. Almost 10 minutes later, the wounded were loaded onto the Fernandez's vehicle and the ambush site abandoned. Pugsley said two other Soldiers were recommended for Bronze Stars with Valor devices for their actions that night. One received it; the other received an Army Commendation with V device, he said. But to 1st Lt. Ryan Swindell, Fernandez's platoon leader, and Pugsley, Fernandez's actions during those hectic minutes warranted a Silver Star. "He bought those Soldiers time," Pugsley said |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #8 Having just recently ecperienced how hot a mere m16 barrel gets after only 40 rounds in 3-4 minutes, I have not doubt that this hero is convalescing with a large sized bandage on one or both hands. The barrel of a weapon which is firing 100-200 rounds per minute is going to be extremely hot. Also, he went to grab the weapon in the middle of the fight. He could have stayed where he was, firing his SAW, but he got the weapon which fired heavier and more damaging rounds (one of my beefs with the SAW). |
| Posted by: Jame Retief 2004-08-21 10:35:43 PM |
| #7 The M240B has a removable barrel as well. Great weapon. The barrel does get very hot and fast. This took serious G. Liddy guts. |
| Posted by: Remote Man 2004-08-21 10:15:06 PM |
| #6 I wonder if one day we'll have a derivative of the MG-42 as good as the MG-42. |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2004-08-21 9:30:46 PM |
| #5 The barrel of a rifle heats up due to the burned gases behind the projetile, Super Hose. As the projectile leaves the barrel. Some of the gas stays behind and the gases' energy transfer into heat. The M-240 is a souped-up, heavier M-60 machine gun. With a high rate of fire that translates into the barrel getting hot in a hurry and staying hot. The M-240's predecessor, the M-60 had a removable barrel. Though Asbestos or thick leather gloves were used to twist the old barrel out and lock in the new one. The M-60's predecessor, the German MG-42 from WWII had a barrel that could be flipped out to the side. Away from the weapon's action. Which allowed rapid barrel changes. |
| Posted by: Jack Deth 2004-08-21 8:29:24 PM |
| #4 OldSpook, how hot would the barrel have gotten? I'm not familiar with the M-240B. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-21 5:25:39 PM |
| #3 Sounds like we still have a few men left in the military. Compare that to the trolling trash we have been seeing here on Rantburg. I hoep these guys meet the trolls face to face someday when they get back. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-08-21 4:29:32 PM |
| #2 Sounds like Mitchell Paige was reincarnated quickly. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-21 2:42:08 PM |
| #1 OK - I'll take the cheap shot - the difference was this guy was getting shot at - by enemy. Sounds like he deserves that medal, big time. Release the records, Senator! Oh, and your wife's tax records too |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-21 10:48:39 AM |