Rosemary's Thoughts: Wednesday Hero: Master Sgt Brendan O'Connor

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Wednesday Hero: Master Sgt Brendan O'Connor

Posted by Rosemary Welch at 5/28/2008 08:33:00 AM Labels: Heroes, Military, open tb, SW Asia, wars

There are many unsung heroes these days, and that is the shame this press will have to bear. As for us, we shall continue to bring you true Heroes each Wednesday. Trust me, there are way more than I bring to your attention. They are the heroes that everyday go above and beyond the call of duty. It makes one wonder, is the call of duty just to stay alive (to kill the enemy) or be willing to risk or even lay down one's life for the cause of freedom and the life of one's team? I believe most servicepeople would say it is the second.

This week's Hero is Master Sergeant Brendan O'Connor. He is an extraordinary 47 year old man (in 2006) who saved the life of one man while in the attempt to save both men under enemy fire in the hellish lands of Afghanistan. Below is an account of some of that day. I'm quite sure there is much more to it than is being released, but I'll be happy with whatever news I can get about our Heroes.

Here is some background about MSgt Brendan O'Connor:

Hometown: Moorestown, N.J.
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross.
Download this hero’s story: Right click and "Save Target As..." to download.

There he saw two wounded men – and save wounded comrades in a hellish two-day firefight in a lawless part of Afghanistan. Master Sergeant Brendan O’Connor earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

Surrounded on all sides by hardened Taliban fighters, a vastly outnumbered force of Americans and Afghans fought nearly to the last bullet. In June 2006, 47-year-old Master Sergeant Brendan O’Connor of the 7th Special Forces Group – the Army’s elite Green Berets – was the team's medic during Operation Kaika. The Taliban believed this isolated group of Americans and Afghans, numbering less than 70, would be an easy target. They were gravely mistaken.

When the terrorists sprang their trap, the sky exploded with the thunder of rifle, machine-gun, and grenade fire from both sides. The main group was separated by more than 100 yards, and the situation at both positions was dire.

O'Connor heard over the radio that several wounded men ahead of a forward position could be overrun at any moment. Leading a team of eight, he quickly traversed the distance between the two positions and took stock of the situation.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Binney and Staff Sergeant Joseph Fuerst – farther ahead and knew he had to reach them. Disregarding three enemy machine-guns, O'Connor dropped to his stomach and began an arduous crawl to the wounded troops. Restricted in his movements by his protective armor, O'Connor paused and removed the only shield he had from the hostile onslaught, his Interceptor bullet proof vest. He traded his armor for a cloth sign that he pinned to his back to alert the close-air support attack helicopters that he was friendly.

The 200 foot crawl was nearly an hour and a half of constant enemy fire directed at the brave American. Reaching a compound to which he could pull the wounded, he singlehandedly moved the two soldiers there and performed emergency first-aid. As night fell, O’Connor made several trips to move the Binney and Fuerst back to the advanced position. From there, they were able to medevac the injured, and begin their own exfiltration to the security of the patrol base.

While Fuerst did not survive his severe injuries, Binney lived because of the bold decision made by a 47-year-old-medic more concerned with the lives of his friends than his own. For his actions, O’Connor was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the first time a member of the 7th Special Forces Group was awarded this honor since July of 1964.

These men and women impress me so much, and I am so very grateful to them. I pray for their families and them to have success and know His Peace.

There is just one last thing I must say. I am very upset with the press. We are winning this war, and there are so many more heroes than I could possibly know about to write their stories. The press, on the other hand, has total access to this information. I can only find the reports that are listed at www.DefenseLink.mil. This leaves me to believe there is only one reason for this. This does not reflect well upon their true agenda. What is their agenda? Surrender at all costs. Shame on you!

I would like to end this post with edification. Many of men have gone before us, many will go after us. What we do with our lives, as it concerns our gratitude them, matters. It matters that we pray for their families and them. It matters that we focus on them, and not on what is wrong with the rest of the world. My God, I'd be writing forever! lol. Please remember them in your thoughts, when you awake, when you lay down your head to sleep, and all the time in between. They ask so little. They just want us to care, to be behind them, to remember them. We do. We love each and every one of you, and we pray for your success and victory so that you may come home when the time is right. Stay safe, sweet friends. God bless you and walk with you.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives
so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.
For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Source(s): DefenseLink and Profiles of a Hero.