| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq-Jordan |
| Scope Saves Marine |
| 2004-11-02 |
| For all you shooters out there A rifle-mounted scope designed to enhance enemy visibility on the battlefield saved the life of a Marine during a Sept. 17 firefight on the outskirts of Fallujah, but not the way intended. Sgt. Todd B. Bowers, a member of the 4th Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, spotted enemy snipers during a security patrol outside the restive town of Fallujah. While returning fire, a sniper-fired round hit Bowers' advanced combat optical gun site, mounted on his M-16A2 service rifle. Fragmentation from both the ACOG and the bullet were peppered across the left side of Bowers' face. "It was about a four-hour firefight. Bullets were flying everywhere, and as I returned fire, it felt like my weapon blew up," said Bowers, 25, a native of Washington, D.C. A Navy corpsman removed a piece of fragmentation and applied a pressure dressing to his left cheek. As the corpsman began calling for a medical evacuation, Bowers refused and kept on fighting alongside his fellow Marines. "After he was cleaned up, I knew he would be okay, but I was surprised that he didn't want to leave on a medical evacuation," said Sgt. Jung Kil Yoo, a member of 4th CAG. Small pieces of fragmentation can still be seen on the left side of his face. "Luckily, I had my ballistic goggles on to protect my eyes, without them I probably would not be able to see out of my left eye," said Bowers. He can still see the bullet lodged in his scope, which was given to him by his father, John Bowers, two days before leaving to Iraq. "The last time I saw my dad was the day he handed me the scope," said Bowers. His dad was a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, who didn't want to see his son go into combat without a useful piece of gear. "The ACOG was the best purchase I have ever made in my life," said John to his son during a phone conversation. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #10 OldSpook what can one say. He is a true United States patriot and hero. I think the rubble is going to bounce regardless. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-11-02 6:39:24 PM |
| #9 OS, once president Bush is reelected, the order will be given and his fellow Marines will execute. My sincerest regrets for the loss of a good man. The last Marine funeral attended was my cousin's in 67. I hope to never attend another. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-11-02 6:14:36 PM |
| #8 Semper Fi, O.S. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2004-11-02 5:39:12 PM |
| #7 OS, I'm so sorry. I didn't know him, but I do know he was one of the best. Bless him, and you, and all our troops. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-11-02 3:40:55 PM |
| #6 I extend my condolences also, OldSpook. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2004-11-02 3:13:42 PM |
| #5 OS: Bless you and your kids. We shall prevail. Vengeance is mine. I shall repay. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-11-02 1:25:29 PM |
| #4 Sgt. Jung Kil Yoo Now that's a Marine name if I ever saw one, lol! Rock on, guys! |
| Posted by: .com 2004-11-02 1:12:42 PM |
| #3 Please accept my condolences OS. God bless you and all our troops serving. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2004-11-02 1:10:26 PM |
| #2 God help those Marines. I will be out the rest of the day and probably tomorrow to help out a Marine. He's one of "my kids" that I helped in youth group (as a drill intructor then later as a Big Brother). He is coming home from Al Anbar province in Iraq. He was one of the best and brightests kids I have ever known, someone who made the world a better place. His funeral is tomorrow. I know I shouldnt post when I'm this messed up. But, KILL EVERY FUCKING ONE OF THOSE MONSTERS! DROP THE DAMNED BOMBS UNTIL THE RUBBLE BOUNCES. THEN SALT THE GROUND. THEY DESERVE NO QUARTER, NO MERCY. ONLY EXTERMINATION. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-11-02 1:00:27 PM |
| #1 "He can still see the bullet lodged in his scope, which was given to him by his father, John Bowers, two days before leaving to Iraq. âThe last time I saw my dad was the day he handed me the scope,â said Bowers. His dad was a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, who didnât want to see his son go into combat without a useful piece of gear." Next time you hear school teacher/administrator complaining about having to hold a bake sale/drive for school equipment, please remind them that the men and women in our services pay for gear out of their own pockets too and deal with 'take home' work all the time. There's no social promotion escape for the work environment these dedicated men and women face everyday. |
| Posted by: Don 2004-11-02 12:33:52 PM |