[7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. I used an Aimpoint PRO for the optic and I kept the original mount on the Aimpoint PRO; I just removed the spacer to make it sit lower. His M14 has a camouflage paint scheme and an Aimpoint CompM2/M68 reflex sight. Born into a US Air Force family, he joined the Army while in high school. Learn how you can make more money with IBD's investing tools, top-performing stock lists, and educational content. His teammate Randy Shughart retrieved Gordons CAR-15 and gave it to Michael Durant to use. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons)Gordon wanted to assist the helicopter, but his request was denied. In 1996, the US Navy held a ceremony in Newport News, Virginia, during which it named the roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Gordon. ", Suddenly Durant heard Gordon say, "Damn. The lowest optic mount I could find to give us that look is the ARMS #18 mount. and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the At the time, MSG Gordon was Sniper Team Leader during a joint-force assault mission to apprehend key advisers to Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and the warlord himself if possible. Was he Sgt. While their heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia resulted in their deaths, they efforts allowed for the rescue of a fellow soldier. Its not high like normal optic mounts for the M14 platform. At Ft. Polks JRTC, the largest town inside of The Box is named Shughart-Gordon. Theres no way to prove beyond any doubt, he said, so why put the family through what theyve already been through?. He and Shughart were lowered to the ground, while their comrade Sergeant First Class Brad Halling stayed aboard to man a machine gun. The heroic actions of Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart on October 3 ultimately saved Michael Durants life. Delta Force operatives dont typically wear a uniform and, even when they do, the nature of that uniform is classified and no one outside of the Unit would be able to recognize it. The Medal of Honor award on May 23, 1994, made Gordon and Shughart the only snipers to receive the high honor and the first since the Vietnam War, said retired Brig. Army Good Conduct Medal, 5 awards. The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. Wikipedia says this: "Aftermath After the battle, the bodies of several of the conflict's U.S. casualties (Black Hawk Super 64's crewmembers and their defenders, Delta Force soldiers MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart) were dragged through Mogadishu's streets by crowds of local civilians and SNA forces. Press J to jump to the feed. How Will You Trade the Next Stock Market Swoon? There are few military servicemen who have received the Medal of Honor and had their actions portrayed in a Hollywood movie. The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. As he was preparing to fast rope from Super 67, Blackburn missed the rope, falling between 60-90 feet ( 18.29m-27.43m). The award read in part: "Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army.". One was us and the other was his comrades. Heres a list, Greek transportation minister resigns over train collision as death toll keeps rising, Ohios senators to unveil rail safety bill in wake of East Palestine derailment, After months of pounding, Ukrainian official says military may pull back from Bakhmut, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Prosecution presents closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Intel agencies say theres no sign adversaries were behind Havana syndrome, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. Out of all the bodies, Gary Army Commendation Medal. Two are Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart. This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 02:43. The pilot of their helicopter said that anyone in their right mind would never have gone in, but they insisted on it because they were comrades in danger, because they believed passionately in the creed that says, I will not fail those with whom I serve., Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart died in the most courageous and selfless way any human being can act, he concluded. By this time, more Somali militiamen were arriving intent on either capturing or killing the American servicemen. In December 1992, the United States began Operation Restore Hope. With all of the ground forces still trying to help Super Six-One, there was no one left to help at the crash site of Super Six-Four. [4], Armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330ft) from the crash site and made their way to the downed Black Hawk. Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia as part of Task Force Ranger. I have the utmost respect for the two men and, as a gun enthusiast and creator, I wanted to do a project that could honor their memory. The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. The critical lesson is to never underestimate your enemy. Why are we still having these debates? Deadly Price. In 1993, Gordon's body was eventually buried and brought back to his hometown in Maine. The first phase of the assault went well, but shortly after an initial step, one of the Armys Black Hawk helicopters providing insertion and air support to the assault team, was shot down and crashed the downtown in the hostile controlled area. They set up a defense perimeter and gave Durant a rifle to protect their rear, since he was the only one in condition to help them. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gungiveaways! His actions saved the pilots life. The initial insertion attempt failed and they had to insert about 100 meters away from the crash site. Randy Shughart would have been 60 years old today. All rights reserved. In 2003, Michael Durant published a book, In the company of heroes where he described events on that day on how he saw it. Gradisher said he did not know if the Pentagon had even identified the soldier in that indelible photograph--taken by Toronto Star reporter Paul Watson and distributed worldwide by the Associated Press--or other bodies shown in television footage. She knew her sons stepmother had told a Virginia newspaper she recognized David as the man in the AP photograph, but Morford immediately protested, saying it was not her son. Randy Shughart/Place of burial. At his death, he was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Armys premier special operations unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), also known as Delta Force. Gary and Carmen talked about opening a furniture store, but also candidly discussed what would happen if he died. In total 50 Somalian bodies were found at the location. For the sling, I actually got an older used sling so that it had that worn aesthetic to make the rifle look like its seen some hard use. Later investigation and reconstruction concluded that Gordon was first to be killed. As for the Shughart M14, its an extremely iconic weapon, and Im proud to have one that resembles that legendary rifle. Most of those reached were these five soldiers parents; widows had moved, had newly unlisted numbers or took refuge behind the shields military families learn to erect. Some of the things happening in convoy getting lost seem to be consolidated onto McKnight. Randy Shughart was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, into an Air Force family. Was he Sgt. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Background: Shughart was born August . When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Master Sergeant Gordon was inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. Who once felt warm in those arms? She went to the town library to make photocopies of pictures in a Time magazine article. So, feel free to visit and check it out. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. Mission commanders denied their request; in fact, they said that the situation was already too dangerous for the three Delta snipers to effectively protect the Blackhawk crew from the ground because overwhelming Somali militias outnumbered them. Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon fought their way to the downed Blackhawk. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. In 1993, Somalia was ravaged by civil war, which destroyed the countrys agriculture. The USNS Shughart is currently the lead ship in her class, and is capable of carrying 48 track vehicles, 58 tanks, and over 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. Master SergeantGary Ivan Gordon was born on August 30, 1960, and died on October 3, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia. A smoke grenade gave Gordon and Shughart some cover as they fought their way 100 yards through a shantytown to the downed craft. Once on the ground, they were armed with only their weapons and sidearms. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. In 1989, Gordon was with the outfit in Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama to capture its dictator, Manuel Noriega. Their 'Go bag'. Shughart was assigned to 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) and transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June 1986. Engaged in combat with Aidids militia, the Ranger forces on the ground were unable to assist. Positioned approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Self Airfield, Shughart-Gordon is the largest of the three sites. My son had black eyebrows and eyelashes, Morford said. After completing Special Forces training, Shughart was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and assigned to Delta Force. After his father, Herbert Shughart, left the Air Force, the Shugharts moved to Newville, Pennsylvania, to live and work on a dairy farm. When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. During Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, Durant was the pilot of helicopter Super Six Four. His was the second MH-60L of two Black Hawk helicopters to crash during the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. 2023 Springfield Armory. The sniper team began to engage, the attacking Somalis from the opposite side of the wreckage. He and his future wife, Carmen, met when she was visiting her grandparents, and they engaged in a three-year correspondence after he joined the Army. Helicopter with call sign Super 61 (Super Six One). The Aimpoint PRO has a nearly identical aesthetic to the CompM and can still be put in a singular scope ring should you desire that. Axon Stock Lights Up On Big Earnings Beat, Taser News, Apple Is Still The Richest Company By Squatting On Your Money. Learn all the ways IBDs top investing tools can help you succeed in the market! At the same time, Gordon returned to Durant and calmly asked if there were more weapons (he was out of ammo) and then retrieved some from the down Blackhawk, and began to reengage the attackers. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. "Many believed that it would not last long and would encounter little opposition.". I'm hit. [3] It is believed that Gordon was the first of the two to be killed by the surrounding mob. Concerning Shughart and Gordan, Durant made the comment Without a doubt, I owe my life to these two men and their braveryThose guys came in when they had to know it was a losing battle, There was nobody else left to back them up. Both pilots were killed in the resulting crash and two of the crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. Westminster Cemetery, Pennsylvania, United States All rights reserved. Sergeant First Class Shughart's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him-self, his unit and the United States Army. possibly from the Somalian's anger from the defense the he and Randall Shughart was a US Army Delta Force soldier. I made a video about cloning the Gordon Carbine, too. 2000-2023 Investor's Business Daily, LLC. In the company of heroes is by Mike Durant, and gives a view of the raid from his point of view, and his view after being captured. After completing basic training, he successfully completed infantry AIT (advanced individual training), Airborne School, and in 1978 was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington. 1st Class Randy Shughart provided precision sniper fire from the lead helicopter during a building assault and at two helicopter crash sites. Shughart's body was recovered after several days. Both mens bodies were recovered. Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, both members of the 1st SFOD-D, were part of the Task Force engaged in Operation Gothic Serpent (later known as Battle of Mogadishu) during the U.S. intervention in Somalia on October 3, 1993. I only tried to match it in appearance and not performance. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved I'm not flying all the way to North Carolina just to see a rotor blade! Warmer storms could cause problems, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a jungle and Maya ruins, Dr. Simi is a TikTok star. Your email address will not be published. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon and his fellow sniper, while under intense small arms fire from the enemy, fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured crew members. Entered service at: Born: Newville, Pennsylvania. Live The Armory Life. Available Ranger forces on the ground could not assist the downed helicopter crew of the second crash site as they were already engaged in heavy combat with Somalis militia and making their way to the first crash site. What is the white stuff in my gas fireplace? Like I said earlier, I didnt do anything that wasnt strictly aesthetic. It is unknown why he missed the rope. The United Nations tried to aid with the resulting famine, but its food rations were seized by local warlords. Did we just find them one day? Speaking about the pairs heroic efforts in Somalia, Clinton said: Gordon and Shughart knew their own chances of survival were extremely bleak. Shughart retrieved Gordon's CAR-15 and gave it to Durant to use. He kept repeating his request twice until he finally received permission to engage. For their acts, they were awarded the highest military decoration, Medal of Honor, for the first time after the Vietnam War. The APs effort to determine their identities required calls to relatives and others who knew the 18 men before the list could be narrowed to the five, whose names the Pentagon then confirmed. Please re-read the annotations in Black Hawk Down (book) Mcase07 ( talk) 20:28, 14 April 2008 (UTC) [ reply] Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. One gun on the list that I have been fortunate to add is the M1A, a semi-automatic version of the M14. You should check it out. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? His actions saved the pilots life. Bush authorized the dispatch of U.S. troops to Somalia to assist with famine relief as part of the larger United Nations effort. In October 1993, elite American troops launched a disastrous raid in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Shughart left active duty and went into the Army Reserve in June 1980. He chose to be a husband and father and never wavered in those roles. Upon reaching the downed Blackhawk, which was under intense fire, Gordon and Shughart pulled the crew from the wreckage and proceeded to setup a defensive parameter. It was later reported Durant initially misidentified who was killed first, but did not wish to change the official record. When the smoke had cleared, its said that there were 25 dead Somali attackers scattered around the site. Or was he Master Sgt. Thomas Field, a skilled mechanic from a family of stock car racers whose father felt uneasy about his choice of an Army career? Shugart was the first one to be mortally wounded at about the same time he ran out of ammo. Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army. [5], There was some confusion in the aftermath of the action as to who had been killed first. Much of the food was hijacked by Mohamed Aidid's militia, and suddenly hundreds of thousands more Somalians were at risk of dying. He then drew his pistol and held off the attackers as long as possible, eventually being mortally wounded. Immediately after the battle, the Somalis counted at least 25 of their men dead, with much more severely wounded. It wasn't a scream or a plea, just a statement of fact, like someone who'd nicked himself with a vegetable knife. ", The pilot wrote: "He sounded almost irritated, like this was just going to make things harder for him. They were only armed with their sniper rifles and pistols. The views Unlike other members of the armed forces, the Delta Force is granted a lot of freedom in how they live and what they look like. The Commands position was that three of them could be of more assistance by providing air cover. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. Meritorious Service Medal. It was a horrible site. Was he Staff Sgt. Several months later, he completed the pre-ranger course, obtained a spot at Ranger School and earned his Ranger Tab. Two Delta snipers fought and died in the Battle of Mogadishu. Instead of being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his mother, Betty, said he would have "wanted to. The story of Black Hawk Down began when Delta Force arrested 20 Somalis. The story of courage and self-sacrifice is best portrayed in the heroic story of MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart. The couple were discovered by cops in Brighton on Monday night - without their newborn baby . Once he committed to something, the way was clear. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team providing sniper cover from the air in helicopter Super Six-Two. Both Gordon and Shughart laid down their lives to save their brothers in arms. [6] Shughart's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Westminster Cemetery, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team for Delta Force and were assigned to over watch the operation, engaging targets from the Blackhawk. But, as you will see, this setup is very close to the one in the movie. Potter, 75, was deputy command officer of the Army's Special Command Operations. In spite of these deficiencies, however, Black Hawk Down is a very realistic, historically accurate portrayal of modern war and tells a relevant and powerful story in an almost flawless example of an American war movie. Some could barely speak for weeping; others said they found little relief in knowing the soldier in the picture was someone elses husband or son. They had a pair of boots with blood stains, powerfully moving looking at those and seeing what they mean. The ceremony was attended by a number of officers and politicians including Shughart's commanding officer at the time of his death; John W. Douglass, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; Senator Bob Kerrey; and others. The largest military subreddit on reddit. After putting the gun back together, I ended up putting on a National Match leather sling to get the same look from the film. M14. Two years later, the government of Somalia was overthrown and a civil war erupted. recovered by the CIA who went in there after the Battle of The infamous picture of the US Soldier being dragged shirtless through the street was not either of the CAG Snipers. On October 3, 1993, they engaged in Operation Gothic Serpent, a joint-force assault mission to apprehend key advisers to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Somali warlord. Designed to support up to a battalion-level assault, this . Before deploying with his unit to Somalia, he married his wife Carmen, and together they had two children. Gary Gordon and Sgt. Today we remember one of our most famous Special Operations warriors. Ridley Scott directed the movie. What happened to the pilot in Black Hawk Down? At one point, MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart requested permission to land near the second helicopter crash site and defend the crash site and four critically wounded helicopter crew members.

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