Via Blackfive and Michael Yon we have learned of a Colonel that led a unit that was pinned down for over four hours despite being wounded, (Colonel James Coffman, awarded the DSC), a Battalion CO ( LTC Erik Kurilla) calling a wounded soldier's mother to reassure her, then leading the way down an alley and engaging in a point blank firefight even after being wounded and a Command Sergeant Major (Robert Prosser) engaged in hand to hand combat with an armed terrorist. Where do we get such men? It is no wonder that our military is so good with leaders like these men.
I have to add that during my four year stint, I did not meet too many leaders that would rise to the level of these men. Too many officers in a peacetime army are politicians in uniform, what David Hackworth called "Perfumed Princes." I am sure that he is looking down with pride at Col. Coffman, LTC Kurilla, CSM Prosser and those like them.
P.S. A shout out to my old regiment, the 17th Infantry "Buffalos." The 1/17th is now in Iraq and is going to relive the "Deuce Four," 1/24th in Mosul. Buffalos!
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