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The Rescue Story Is the rescue story a sham?

#1 User is offline   mitch 

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  Posted 21 April 2003 - 12:51 PM

The story at Timesonline, April 16th, says: "The rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, which inspired America during one of the most difficult periods of the war, was not the heroic Hollywood story told by the US military, but a staged operation that terrified patients and victimised the doctors who had struggled to save her life, according to Iraqi witnesses."

More here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59...-648517,00.html

So what's the story? Best to sit back for a few weeks for the truth to out.

Ah well, yet more media doohickey, and there's bound to be more hysteria.

Good luck PFC Lynch, you'll need it.
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#2 User is offline   scanner2 

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Posted 21 April 2003 - 01:52 PM

I have deleted this URL in the past since they cannot even get the dates correct, the Rescue was done on April 1st not April 2nd as the Times Claims, I haven't seen one correct story on their web site yet and wouldn't fall for anything they say. I just want to say 2 things on this subject, 1. The times has a unknown witness and the US has a Video Tape which a lot of it has already been broadcast on TV, 2. If this thread starts to get out of had it will be deleted.
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#3 User is offline   Penny/Don 

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Posted 21 April 2003 - 04:07 PM

I honestly don't see what the big deal is. I guarantee most Americans don't care whether the rescue was heroic or if the Iraqi soldiers had fled in panic. My family and I weren't praying our heart out on Jessie's behalf because of patriotism -- but instead because we cared about her....not as a US soldier, but as a teenage girl; as if she were our own daughter, little sister, or niece.

Most of us feel compassion for a petite young woman that was brutalized beyond comprehension. I personally hope Jessica was shown kindness by the doctor...because she was certainly shown none by the monsters that broke her bones, shot her, slapped her in the face, and Lord knows what else.

Jessie's a hero to me just because she endured their brutal torture and survived. I admire her because she was willing to risk her life in order to reach her goal of a college education, achieve her career goal of teaching. All who participated in the rescue operation are heroes regardless of how many Iraqi soldiers were there....because it only takes one with a gun or grenade to kill you. That's why I'm worried sick about a brave USAF Lieutenant..a friend of mine named Mike...a F-16 pilot that left Langley AFB Friday enroute to "destination unknown" (Iraq).

I'm just thankful Jessie is alive, safe, with her loved ones, and recovering in the hospital. I can't wait until she's well enough to see just how proud America is of her, and how much love and compassion 99.9% of Americans feel for her.
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#4 User is offline   Linebacker#23 

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  Posted 21 April 2003 - 05:38 PM

The video shown at the centcom meeting proved it was dangerous mission. Anyone involved in it is a hero. Jessica is the biggest hero of them all. America will remember her for ever. She's my hero and my inspiration. Thanks to her i made my decision to go into the army to defend my country. Anyone who can endure that kind of torture is a hero especially a small woman. Jessica if you ever read this don't let anyone get you down be all you can be and i hope you are a successful teacher!!
Get Well very soon!!!

Amanda Deriso
Andersonville Georgia
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#5 User is offline   TheTruth 

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Posted 23 April 2003 - 05:41 AM

QUOTE (RyRobinson @ Apr 21 2003, 12:51 PM)
The story at Timesonline, April 16th, says: "The rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, which inspired America during one of the most difficult periods of the war, was not the heroic Hollywood story told by the US military, but a staged operation that terrified patients and victimised the doctors who had struggled to save her life, according to Iraqi witnesses."

More here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59...-648517,00.html

So what's the story? Best to sit back for a few weeks for the truth to out.

Ah well, yet more media doohickey, and there's bound to be more hysteria.

Good luck PFC Lynch, you'll need it.

In response to your post here, I understand where you are coming from. Being a VietNam Veteran (not by choice). I served my time and done what I was told to do. War is war and sometimes innocent people become victims in the ordeal of any type of rescue or war. It is not a pleasant sight. How would you feel if you were in Iraq and Saddams army used you for a shield and there was shooting going all around? wouldn't you feel like you were in harms way? In Jessica's case they pulled off a daring rescue something to what they tried to do when the blackhawk went down years ago during another rescue attempt.
I think that under the circumstances the Armed Forces done what they had to do to get Jessica out of harms way. And yes Good Luck to Jessica in her recoveries from her injuries. She done what she had to do, just like you would of done if you were in her shoes.
Please don't downgrade her or any of the other POW's They deserve our support as well as " Respect".
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Posted 23 April 2003 - 11:59 AM

On the subject of the Iraqi Doctor's kindness to Jessica:

It is difficult, of course, to validate the claims of the Iraqi doctors that treated Jessica, but from the two articles on the subject (New York Times) they were the opposite of her tormentors. According to their accounts, they took great risks to their own lives to save her; they smuggled in food and stuff for her past the Iraqi "intelligence" guards standing at her door, treated her more than they were supposed to after the guards brutalized the poor girl, and hid her from the Fedeyeen that came to take her to Baghdad when they were evacuating Nasiriyah. They said that she became something of a celebrity around the hospital, her bright personality overcoming the horrible confusion and pain she must have been feeling. From these accounts it seems that, through Jessica, they were also fighting the Saddam regime. If these accounts are true, it is heartening that someone there was at least kind to her over there. Hope she's feeling better now.
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#7 User is offline   phntmstrngr 

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Posted 24 April 2003 - 01:31 AM

QUOTE (RyRobinson @ Apr 21 2003, 12:51 PM)
The story at Timesonline, April 16th, says: "The rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, which inspired America during one of the most difficult periods of the war, was not the heroic Hollywood story told by the US military,

Timesonline.com is a website of "The London Times". This paragon of truth has par with our "National Enquirer".

Phntmstrngr
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#8 User is offline   azzkicka 

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Posted 24 April 2003 - 06:03 AM

My mother e-mailed me the following. Working for a German company, it would be an important story to share if true, so I am looking for some colaboration. Any help appreciated!

"Germany Story"

A little background - The German Army is at Gates of all military installations in Germany providing entry control on a 24 X 7 basis to relieve US Forces that are in middle east...

A different perspective on our German allies. Our governments may be at odds over Iraq Policy - but Military understands Military

Here are our Allies! Sunday, 30 March 2003

As usual I was running late. So, you can imagine my frustration level as I approached the main gate of Ramstein Air Base only to find traffic backed up! Nearing the checkpoint I realized that not only was there a long line of cars, but
traffic had come to a complete stop as a result of all entrance gates being closed. Over the past 18-months, there have been many opportunities to practice our patience as we have had to "hurry up and wait" as a result of heightened security. While we realize the necessity, it's still frustrating at times for even the most easy-going folks. This was one of those times for me! I needed to be where I was going, and I needed to be there NOW! The German soldiers, the ones manning the entrances of American military installations here in Germany, were just milling around, chatting as if those of us in line had all the time in the world.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse! The German gate guards began walking among the stopped cars, asking us to turn off our engines and headlights. I realized that no traffic was exiting or entering the Air Base. My feelings of frustration began
to turn to ones of concern. Just what was going on? A few minutes later I noticed blue lights approaching from the direction of the air terminal. Close behind were two military medical buses with their RED CROSS... Lights were on in the buses, and I.V. bags could be seen hanging. It was then that I realized that these were more of our wounded warriors being transported from the battlefields to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for treatment.

I certainly wasn't prepared for what happened next. All of the German soldiers, our gate guards, began walking toward the concrete barriers that divide the inbound and outbound lanes of traffic. As the blue lights neared, more German soldiers seemed to appear from nowhere, lining the road, shoulder to shoulder. Right on cue, without a word being spoken, these soldiers snapped a sharp salute as the buses drove pass, rendering arms until well after the last bus had passed.

Needless to say, I was speechless and deeply moved. What a show of respect for fellow soldiers!

Freedom did not have to be asked or prompted, it came from their character and soldiering heart! May God bless and watch over all soldiers and their loved ones as they stand in harm's way for us! Blessings and Peace,

One more little note to this... Two AM in the morning, a single C-17 lands at Ramstein with one patient on board 19 year Pfc. Jessica Lynch, and who shows up to escort the ambulance to Landstuhl... over 100 German Polizei cars and entire Germany Army contingency assigned to Ramstein... Clyde C...

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#9 User is offline   Winter_Jet 

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Posted 25 April 2003 - 02:11 AM

This is the most accurate post I've seen on the rescue. I know most of the SEALs who were on this operation. The word I got was that Rangers went in first, got in a pretty good firefight, then held security while SEALs entered the hospital and conducted the rescue. I'm not surprised if some doctors were tossed around and roughly searched. I'm sure our guys were taking no chances.


POW Jessica Lynch Rescued By Navy SEALs and Rangers

Written by Vernon Loeb and Dana Priest, Washington Post

Tuesday April 1, 2003




Page: | 1 |


Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Jessica Lynch, a 19-year-old private first class missing since the ambush of
an Army maintenance company 10 days ago near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq, has
been rescued by Special Operations forces, defense officials said yesterday.

Lynch's dramatic rescue -- in which a CIA tip sent Navy SEALs and Army
Rangers to the hospital where she was being held -- gave military officials
in Washington and the Persian Gulf area welcome news to share with the
American public that had been disheartened by the grim television images of
five POWs from her company and the apparent killings of at least four
others.

"Coalition forces have conducted a successful rescue mission of a U.S. Army
prisoner of war held captive in Iraq. The soldier has been returned to a
coalition-controlled area," Army Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks announced at a
brief pre-dawn appearance at U.S. Central Command in Qatar. Defense
officials identified the soldier as Lynch, a supply clerk from Palestine,
W.Va.

In her home town last night, the news quickly spread among the friends and
family members who had tied yellow ribbons around light posts and tree
trunks and prayed since her capture.

"I was there when they got the news, and it was soooo exciting," said Linda
Davies, Lynch's former kindergarten teacher and a family friend.

"A neighbor who's been staying with the Lynches a lot came running in
screaming, 'Jessica's alive! Jessica's alive!' and we went racing up to the
house.

"Jessica's father was standing at the end of the road and waving. There was
a huge crowd inside the house and outside. A general or some official from
the hospital where Jessica's at called the family first, then they saw it
live on TV. She's supposed to call them tonight."

Jim Wilkinson, a Central Command spokesman in Qatar, said in an interview
with CNN after Brooks's announcement that Lynch was in good spirits.
"America is a nation that does not leave its heroes behind," he said. "She's
safe in coalition hands and happier than where she was."

The CIA, which has been deeply involved in finding targets for the military
and has liaisons in every significant military command involved in the war,
identified Lynch's location and fed the geographical coordinates to U.S.
Central Command, a U.S. official said. Iraqis took Lynch, who has multiple
wounds, to a hospital near Nasiriyah, the official said. At the time of her
capture, she was separated from her military colleagues.

The CIA's intelligence allowed the Special Operations rescue team -- which
is on 24-hour standby in a country in the Persian Gulf region -- "to swoop
down quickly" and rescue her, the official said.

No other POWs were in or near the hospital at the time, sources said.

The CIA declined to comment on the rescue.

A cousin who answered the Lynch phone in Palestine said, in a breathless
voice: "The family's not giving out any interviews tonight. Please call in
the morning." Asked how they were doing, the cousin said, "Great! Great!"

A cashier at Dick's Market in neighboring Elizabeth, where Lynch's brother,
Gregory Jr., used to work, spoke with him last night and reported that the
family had heard that she's "dazed and confused, but otherwise all right."

Staff Sgt. James Grady, the Army recruiter who enlisted Lynch and her
brother, joyously confirmed her rescue. "It's true," he said. "I spoke with
her family on the phone, and they received notification. She is rescued. By
the Army Rangers and Navy SEALs. She's in the hospital now."

Grady said he had no other information about Lynch's condition or details of
her rescue.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "Her situation had been something that was very
troublesome to me and my family. Her family mentioned that there's going to
be a big welcome-home party, and I'll definitely be there."

Lynch was among 15 members of the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company
ambushed by Iraqi forces after taking a wrong turn near Nasiriyah. Three
days later, the Army listed two of the 15 as dead, five as prisoners of war
and eight -- including Lynch -- as "duty status whereabouts unknown," or
missing in action.

The Army said that members of the company, based at Fort Bliss, Tex., and
supporting the 3rd Infantry, had been part of the long convoy threading
through southern Iraq toward Baghdad.

The soldiers were traveling along a secured route 100 miles northwest of the
Kuwaiti border near Nasiriyah, a crossing of the Euphrates River, when they
took a wrong turn onto a road devoid of U.S. combat forces. Iraqi militiamen
fired on them.

Iraqi state television broadcast a videotape that showed interrogators
questioning four men and a woman in U.S. military uniforms; the tape also
showed at least four bodies. Since the Army's announcement, there had been
no further information about what happened to Lynch and no indication that
she was alive and taken prisoner.

The second of three children, Lynch graduated from Wirt County High School
near her home in Palestine in the central part of West Virginia. As a
senior, she had interviewed with recruiters from several military branches,
and decided the Army was offering the best deal. She was finishing her
second year and had just signed on for another four-year stint. She had
never been outside the United States before arriving in the Middle East
three weeks ago.

While it was not immediately clear how Lynch's rescue was orchestrated, it
involved some of the military's most highly trained Special Operations
forces.

"Anytime Rangers are used in that type of operation, they go in and do the
outer perimeter security, making it secure so the Delta or SEAL guys can go
in, kick down the door, and do the bagging and tagging," said retired Army
Capt. Todd Bearden, a former member of the 75th Ranger regiment.

One Special Operations officer said he hoped other elite military units were
going after the other five prisoners of war from the 507th, who are probably
being held in the same area. At the very least, he said, news of Lynch's
rescue could help the others psychologically. "We talk about small victories
and train you to cherish them. This is a small victory."
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#10 User is offline   iron-bound 

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Posted 25 April 2003 - 10:32 AM

Yeah, I'm not a member of any special operations units, but I've always had a heavy interest in them, which is one of the reasons I'm so captivated by Jessica's story. From what I can tell, the Rangers provided security (I don't think they would have entered the hospital), helicopter gunships and maybe AC-130s provided support, and the SEALs along with elements of DELTA conducted the actual assault.

I'm inclined to think DELTA was involved because 1) Missions like these are their specialty, 2) They were in the area, and 3) Major General Renuart said that "Special Forces" were involved in the rescue operation, in addition to the SEALs and Rangers. And obviously, when the military says the words 'Special Forces,' they are referring to the Green Beret, of which DELTA is a specialized detachment (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta).

Give your friends my regards, trident86. They are truly the unsung heroes of this story.
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Posted 25 April 2003 - 07:26 PM

trident86 also give my regards to the SEALS, I have had the honor of meeting 2 of them once and it was an honor to meet them. I had friends who worked with and the Rangers and Delta Force and they are so well trained and professional that is not even funny. I think they have earned their stripes and I thought some of the secret missions that the SEALS had in Vietnam, Op Desert Storm, Op Urgent Fury, or even the famous airport battle during Op Just Cause. I am sure that this Op will go down in their annals as one of their famous battles. I do believe that Delta Force has really matured since it was founded in 1978. They had one bad day in 1980 but they have learned it.

Trident86 tell them that soldiers all over the world are proud of them. Being a soldier that is going back in tell that I proudly salute thier professionalism and courage

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#12 User is offline   Winter_Jet 

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Posted 05 May 2003 - 02:04 AM

Approved for public release (soon to be printed in Hurlburt Newspaper):

"Air Force Pararescue was in the forefront of the Pvt. Jessica Lynch rescue
that took place on 1 Apr 03. USAF Pararescue, or PJs, were attached to the
team of Navy SEALs that performed the rescue on the night of 1 Apr 03 that
liberated Pvt Lynch.

One of the PJs, TSgt Chris (last name omitted for security reasons) was the
first American to see and talk to Pvt Lynch since her capture more than a
week before. His job was to provide the initial on-scene medical diagnosis
and treatment and to make sure she was "packaged" for the litter carry to
the helicopter.

According to TSgt Chris, the rescue went very smoothly and as they had hoped

it would have, taking minimal time and effort. "On missions like these, the
intensity is unreal, because you never know what is around the next corner".

The SEALs moved forward in a deliberate, well disciplined manner to the
objective. "These guys are good", said TSgt Chris, "ready for whatever comes

up".

"And luckily she was exactly where we thought she would be".

According to TSgt Chris, as they entered her room, Pvt Lynch was
understandably terrified as she thought the worst was happening, much as she

had since her capture 23 Mar. The whole event took less than 30 minutes, and

TSgt Chris escorted her through the entire ordeal.

The news video clip shown to the world of her being carried away to a
waiting helicopter for the ride back to friendly lines shows the PJ walking
beside the litter talking and soothing her and explaining what was happening

next. TSgt Chris said it was obvious Pvt Lynch was distressed when they
burst into the room, so he immediately calmed her and told her they were
Americans here to take her home.

He then gave her his American flag from his uniform, which was attached to
his sleeve with Velcro, which she held tightly all the way back to safety.
He said it seemed to calm her and give her the confidence and reassurance
she needed to know that they were really giving her the ride back to
freedom.

TSgt Chris said he didn't really know what to expect her condition to be,
but was prepared for a lot worse. But as luck would have it, she was in
fairly good shape considering her week-long ordeal at the hands of the
Iraqis. And, he added, "she was ready to go".

I know she was a tough soldier to have gone through what she did, so I knew
she would be alright".

When asked about the news video scene of moving the litter down the stairs,
he stated that it's no easy task to transport a litter patient down the
narrow hospital stairwells, but that is "something we planned for". It's a
scenario we as PJs must contend with on many missions, especially important
in an urban environment. Believe it or not, the training we receive in the
civilian community fits very well into these type situations".

USAF PJs are known throughout the DOD for their rescue and recovery
expertise as well as their exemplary trauma medical skills. PJs often
augment other services and coalition forces in missions of this type, due to

their unique skills and professionalism. Their tactical flexibility becomes
a force multiplier and their expertise is an important quality in today's
military, where interoperability, combined with multiple skill sets, makes
for an in-demand operator. The PJs are the only DOD specialty specifically
trained for rescue and recovery missions in combat operations. They have
responded to virtually every rescue mission in this war and their medical
skills have saved many lives during this war as well as the last war in
Afghanistan."


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#13 Guest_Kicks_*

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  Posted 05 May 2003 - 06:15 AM

trident86,

Nice article, thanks!
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#14 Guest_JoanP_*

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Posted 05 May 2003 - 08:01 AM

For some people (but not all) it is important that our tales of heroism are based on facts and not on hype. This article may be uncomfortable for them. The facts are slowly emerging: Jessica's platoon was ambushed, she jumped off her armored vehicle to surrender and in the process broke her legs and such, she was cared for quite well by Iraqi doctors and was freed several days before she was "rescued". That does not take away anything from Jessica. She was brave enough to sign up to fight for her country and she probably fought as well as she could, despite the fact that most of the world opposed the war.

I think it is unfair to Jessica to build a myth around her based on lies. She has not demanded that. She did not shoot at her captors until she ran out of bullets, she was not injured in the rescue gunfight, there really wasn't a "heroic rescue", just a peaceful pickup after a blotched attempt at delivering her to American troops. Sorry folks, in my book you have to look for a hero elsewhere.
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#15 User is offline   FIREMAN 

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Posted 05 May 2003 - 08:18 AM

Joan;

As I've said to Obverser....sources, please?
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