by E. Clay
6 January 1993
Last night my nightmare returned. I thought I was done with that as it had been a few days since my last one. Mentally I changed channels and began thinking about when Ramirez was supposed to arrive. Rumors were that the next wave was due in sometime this week but no exact date was given. I checked into the Operations Center to see when Ramirez was scheduled to arrive and stumbled upon an interesting debate between Major Strate and Staff Sergeant Sheffield.
“Since when did we start accepting Gays in our military?” Sheffield asked, looking at the manifest.
“What are you smoking over there Staff Sergeant Sheffield?” asked Major Strate.
“Ha, ha ha. Just joking, There is a Major Gaye due in on the next wave and he is assigned to us. Looks like we will have two Majors in the office, one Strate and the other Gaye,” Sheffield laughed aloud. (Name Game)
“Well, don’t know if you are aware but our new Commander-in-Chief has vowed to let Gays serve openly,” Strate commented.
“No freakin way! That is bullshit. The Marine Corps was founded on a strict set of virtues that are tested over time. You can’t mess with that,” Sheffield lamented.
“Well, it has two major hurdles to clear before it becomes policy and I don’t see it happening,” Strate said.
“What two hurdles?” Sheffield asked.
“It will have to be supported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and ultimately Congress will have to sign off on it,” Strate said.
“Well, Gunny T. What is your position on Gays in our Marine Corps?” Sheffield asked.
Sheffield put me on the spot and I knew what he wanted to hear, but I felt like I could be honest.
“I only knew one Marine who I found out to be Gay. He was my Executive Officer at El Toro when I was a Sergeant…he was a Major. I didn’t know he was Gay until I went to his office and found out that he was being discharged. I did something stupid as a Sergeant and I should have had Non-Judicial Punishment, but he spoke with the Commanding Officer and recommended two weeks of morning and evening colors duty instead. He kept me from getting an adverse Fitness Report (eval) and I think that’s why I am still in the Corps now,” I said.
“A Gay Major, a Gay XO. A career officer would never out himself. It’s political suicide,” Strate commented.
“You are absolutely right, sir. He didn’t out himself. A positive HIV test outed him. One of his sexual partners was a Petty Officer in the Navy who came up hot on an HIV test. The Navy guy had to give the names of his recent sexual contacts. My XO was on that list.”
“Dayum!” Sheffield said.
“Well, the Petty Officer was retested and the test proved to be a false positive, so he wasn’t infected after all. Unfortunately, it was too late for my XO, he had to resign. I don’t know what happened to the Petty Officer,” I said to Strate and Sheffield.
“When I came in my beloved Corps, it was strictly prohibited to be Gay, now it is becoming acceptable. I gotta retire before it becomes required!” Sheffield said.
“I know a lot of officers don’t agree with me on this, but personally, I don’t care who you sleep with. I just want to know…can you do the job!” Major Strate said.
Chapter 28: Mogadishu, Somalia: Waiting Game
6 January 1993
After my mini debate with Major Strate and Staff Sergeant Sheffield, I enquired about Ramirez.
“Sorry Guns, only officers on this list,” Sheffield replied.
I started to doubt whether Ramirez was really coming and suspected Captain Shaffner was responsible.
I checked the patrols scheduled for that day and I thought it was strange that all patrols were cancelled.
Then I ran into Master Sergeant Howard as he was entering the office.
“Hey Gunny T, I just got out of a meeting at Headquarters and there is a JTF mission scheduled for some time later today. You up for it?” Howard asked.
“Another Pulse of the City Mission, yeah why not,” I replied.
“No it’s not. It’s a takedown. We had a “walk in” this morning and he’s talking. We got locations on an Aidid safe house and apparently one of his strongholds just outside the city,” Howard remarked.
“A JTF mission? Hook me up Top,” I replied.
“So. Are we hitting the Bakara Market?” I asked.
“No.”
“The Spaghetti factory? The Olympic Hotel?”
“No one will know until we mount out. But we are bringing some serious heat, you will see. Bring plenty of ammo.”
“Who is the sub unit commander?”
“I am. At the moment it will be myself, you and an interpreter, but I still need a shooter. Maybe I can get someone inbound, maybe from the next wave. Lance Corporal Knox was assigned to ride with us but he is down hard with a nasty infection.
“Okay…you know where to find me,” I said.
“Hey Gunny. Did you hear what happened last night?”
“No. What?”
“Two interpreters were shot,” said Howard
“Dang. While on patrol?!” I asked.
“No. They were shot by the gate guards. They were trying to sneak back onto the compound through the side gate and the guards shot them thinking they were skinnys. One is in critical condition and the other I am not sure. It looks like they were returning from visiting their families in the city.”
“How are the rest of the interpreters handling it?” I asked.
“Not good. Not good at all.”
I had just finished evening chow and still there was no word on when we were mounting out. It was getting darker and I doubted the mission would take place. As I walked out of the chow tent, I heard diesel engines near the front of the compound. The next wave had arrived and I was thrilled. I ran to greet the troops as they dismounted off the truck. No Ramirez. In order to cease any further disappointment I conceded that Ramirez was not coming and that was that. I didn’t want to think anymore, I just wanted to turn my mind off. I resorted to my new favorite pastime, sleep.
Chapter 29: Takedown of Aidid’s Forces: Part 1
6-7 January 1993
I was in a deep sleep and I found myself locked in that same nightmare that always had the same outcome…me burning in hell. I was in church and I knew I had to stay awake, but sleepiness began to overpower me. My eyes slowly started to glaze over and my head was starting to feel heavy. Then I saw the same two angels descend on either side of my pew, just watching me and waiting for me to nod off. “Must stay awake.” I could feel myself slipping and the angels were poised. My eyes closed. The angels were upon me. I could feel pressure on my chest, but this time I heard a voice.
“Gunny. Wake up, wake up.”
My eyes opened, I was not stuck in my dream anymore. It was Ramirez waking me up out of my nightmare.
“We’re gearing up to mount out in thirty mikes (minutes),” Ramirez said.
“What are you doing here? I looked for you and I didn’t see you.”
“I was on the last truck and we got delayed because of the Somalis protesting outside the airfield,” Ramirez said with his same old familiar smile.
“So what’s up with the shaved head?” I asked as I began to lace up my boots.
“This is my high-speed no drag look. Besides, didn’t think they would have barbers here anyway,” Ramirez said.
I was glad to see Ramirez and I was particularly pleased he was going on patrol with us.
I grabbed my helmet and 9mm and let out a big sigh.
“Let’s rock and roll,” Ramirez said.
We saw Master Sergeant Howard and a young Lance Corporal with a video camera in his hand standing by the Humvee. The Lance Coolie was from Combat photo and was along for the ride.
“What’s the camcorder for?” I asked.
“Gotta catch the fireworks. This footage will go into the unit archives.”
“Top. Who is our interpreter?” I asked.
“There he is…right on time,” Howard replied.
I
t was the Marine interpreter who I had always called by his first name, Hussein. He was also our driver since he had a Humvee license. We mounted the vehicle with Hussein driving, Master Sergeant Howard was up front, Ramirez, myself and the Lance Coolie in back. Howard and I packed 9mms. The others had M-16s.
This mission would be like no other. Everyone was hyped. You could hear a symphony of all the weapons being locked and loaded almost in an orchestrated sequence. I said a silent prayer and immediately thought of the Name Game I recently played, giving me a sense of protection.
I heard the diesel engines start and my adrenaline began to pump. There was a line of about ten Humvees, some were machine gun-mounted hard back Hummers. I remember feeling unimpressed with the firepower we were bringing as we headed out the compound gates.
“Top. I thought you said we were packin’ some heat on this mission?” I yelled, trying to speak over the sound of the diesel engine.
Top Howard just smiled as he looked back at me. He didn’t say a word.
We were en route to another location where we would link up with Task Force “Imminent Thunder.”
After about a twenty-five minute drive, we saw the task force in blackout mode. It was the most impressive display of firepower I had ever seen. The convoy was so long I couldn’t see where it ended.
“What the hell?!” said Ramirez in awe as we drove along the convoy to find our designated spot.
All of us were rubber necking in amazement because of all the special types of weapons and high tech gear.
“Gunny, did you see the tanks?” Ramirez asked.
“Yup,” I replied. I remember thinking no way will Aidid engage us with this superior show of force. This should be over and done with in no time at all.
Or so I thought.
Chapter 30: Takedown of Aidid’s Forces: Part 2
6-7 January 1993
It was almost midnight and the moon lit up the sky. Word was quickly passed that no one was to engage or return fire until the command was given. Every day of my Marine Corps career up until that day was a dress rehearsal for “Imminent Thunder,” the big show. Our task force was over 400 men strong and there were more attack vehicles than I could count. Our target was Aidid’s stronghold where his men were fortified with their own “heat.” Supporting Task Force Imminent Thunder was another takedown operation of a safe house nearby. Shortly after midnight we were rolling out. I felt confident in our firepower, but I also appreciated the men I was riding with; Master Sergeant Howard had nerves of steel, and Corporal Ramirez was probably the only distinguished marksman in the entire task force. Also, I liked the idea of our interpreter being one of us. About five minutes away from our destination, the convoy passed an unidentified forward headquarters element. The convoy commander needed to neutralize this threat. He had two options: launch an attack and lose our element of surprise, or dispatch a sub unit to seek “assurances of no retaliation.” He elected the latter. We were raised on the net to negotiate the “assurances” because we had the most trusted interpreter…Corporal Hussein.
I was ambivalent about the order we were just given. “Seeking assurances of no retaliation?” How do you have that conversation with the very enemy you are about to attack, at midnight? I thought to myself.
We were middle of the pack and as long as I saw vehicles passing I was calm. Corporal Hussein exited the vehicle and immediately an AK-47 toting Somali came out of the building wondering what the hell was going on. The Somali was in camouflage fatigues, not like the militants we had encountered before. He had a soldierly look about him. Hussein and the armed Somali exchanged words and within seconds it became a shouting match and then a shoving match. Immediately Howard and I exited the vehicle with raised pistols; Ramirez was right behind us with his M-16. I felt we had the advantage at that point, until I saw the last vehicle in our convoy drive past. I kept looking to see if there were any straggler vehicles, but there were none.
After the last vehicle passed, the armed Somali radioed his troops inside the headquarters. Then about ten to twelve of Aidid’s men emerged from the building and formed a half circle around our vehicle. All had AKs and some were chewing Khat. One of the Somalis got behind me but I couldn’t keep my eye on him and the ones in front of me. For the first time I saw a hint of concern on Howard’s face. Corporal Ramirez looked at me with great uncertainty.
“Gunny?”
I remember how important it was to me that Howard did not panic in our previous near death experience so I tried my hardest to keep my poker face for Ramirez. But my hope was fading fast. I was not in control of the situation and I did not have a say in my own destiny. My nerves felt like they were being microwaved inside my body, the adrenaline was past the point of percolation. Then Howard asked Hussein to interpret what was being said.
“You are better not knowing. If you have a God then pray to him now.” Hussein said as he joined us in front of the vehicle.
At that point, I was no longer afraid of dying because I was too damn angry. I was angry because I was looking at the guy who was going to take my life and make my son fatherless. At that precise moment I prayed, but not to survive, it was too late for that. I prayed that I could at least get two of them before I took my last breath. If I could just avoid a bullet to the head, I would somehow find a way to squeeze a couple of rounds off. And then I thought “Why not shoot first?” The only reason I did not was because I didn’t want to be the reason we all got killed.
Then I heard all of their weapons go off safe, ours were already off safe. I was only seconds away from witnessing our execution, and there would be no witnesses. Hussein yelled something in Somali. Whatever he said, he said it twice. The leader responded by radioing someone. There was a brief conversation on the net and then he gave his radio to one of his lieutenants. He gave a command to his troops and they lowered their AKs and made a path for us. We were free to go. I don’t know what Hussein said that saved our lives and I never asked him. We were moments away from a bloodbath but someone on the other end of the radio allowed us to live. Unfortunately, I will never know who that person was, but I am grateful to him.
Chapter 31: Takedown of Aidid’s Forces: Part 3
7 January 1993
That last encounter affected us all, the mental chatter in my mind was so loud it drowned out any logic I had. I was running on instinct. I didn’t know if we handled the situation according to tactical doctrine, but we survived. It took about a full four seconds before we got the hell out of there. Did we accomplish the mission? I don’t know, but we would live to tell about it.
We soon caught up to the task force and everyone was in position except our vehicle. We found our assigned spot and turned off the engine. The target was a large warehouse surrounded by a cement wall about four feet in height. We formed a half circle in front of the compound. Scouts were dispatched to spot any side or rear entrances. There were none.
At 0100, I heard one of our interpreters speaking over the PA. His voice was amplified so loud you could probably hear it a quarter mile away.
“What’s he saying, Hussein?” I asked.
“He is saying that you have until 0700 hours to surrender or we will smoke you out,” Hussein said.
Ramirez and I both responded in perfect synch. “Seven!”
“That’s six hours from now, you gotta be freaking kidding me,” the Lance Coolie said.
“Thompson, Ramirez you got the rear flank. Kill anyone that is not in a vehicle. You got that?” Howard said in the sternest voice possible.
Ramirez and I both acknowledged Howard’s orders, turning around and watching for any movement behind us.
Then I began to lose confidence in myself because I knew my fear of shooting a woman or child was a tremendous liability for me. My worry intensified and my heart rate spiked. Hussein and I swapped weapons so I had the rifle and he had my 9mm. I had the left sector of the rear and Ramirez had the right. We both began scanning our sectors for signs of movement. As I scanned
back to my left, I saw two young girls who looked like twins dressed in light colored clothing with multi-colored headscarves. They were just staring at me about thirty feet away. I put them in my sites and asked the Lord to forgive me as my rifle began trembling with anxiety.
“Lord, why ask this of me?”
I took a deep breath and…they had vanished. I was hallucinating. I took my canteen and poured it across my face to get my focus back. My nerves were in unchartered waters and the thought of six more hours of this seemed unimaginable. I felt physically different in my body, in a way that was indescribable. I calmed myself down and the hallucination never returned. We just waited and waited and waited some more.
At six am, I began to get concerned because we had issued an ultimatum with a defined deadline. At 0645 the Lance Coolie performed an operational check on his video camera. At 0658 Howard whispered “Stand by.”
“Stand by for what?” I thought to myself.
At 0659, I experienced the longest minute of my adult life.
At 0700 hours, Aidid’s men opened fired on our positions with heavy machine gun fire, technicals and anti-aircraft rockets.
I heard someone in the vehicle next to us say “Warm it up Kris!” Lyrics from a song by Kris Kross.
They opened fire on us with tracer (illuminated) rounds, adding to the intimidation factor. I had been on live exercises before, but I remember thinking the bullets were going the wrong way.
The machine gun-mounted Hummers responded first with a blistering burst of firepower. Then the tanks unloaded with thunderous might. Their tracer rounds began spraying us in a slow moving left to right pattern that we could see coming toward us. When it reached us, we braced ourselves hoping not to get hit.
Our left wing mirror got shattered by a burst. And the next burst hit the Hummer to our right, taking out the windshield. No one could see the enemy; to engage, we were just shooting in the direction of the incoming fire. I was watching the front and rear at the same time and so was Ramirez. The camera guy was filming the entire time.