Mogadishu, Somalia 1993
It has been suggested in recent times by philosophers and historians that the new generation of Americans are not as likely as previous generations to jump to the defense of their country. That assertion may or may not be true but the story of Gary Gordon and Randal Shughart proves that the American spirit is surely alive and well in our young people today.
Born in Lincoln, Maine, Gary Gordon joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant.
On October 3rd 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia Maser Sergeant Gordon distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as Sniper Team Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger. MSgt. Gordon’s sniper team provided precision fires from the lead helicopter during an assault and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires.
When MSgt. Gordon learned that grounds forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and Sgt. Randall Shugart unhesitant 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.
After his third request to be inserted, MSgt. Gordon received permission to perform his Volunteer mission. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, they were inserted about one hundred meters from the crash site. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, MSgt. Gordon and Sgt. Shugart, while under intense enemy small arms fire from the enemy, fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured crewmembers. MSgt. Gordon immediately pulled the pilot and the other crewmembers from the aircraft, establishing a perimeter, which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most vulnerable position. MSgt. Gordon used his long rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers until he depleted his ammunition.
Despite the fact that he was critically low on ammunition, he provided some of it to the dazed pilot and then radioed for help. He continued to travel the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. After Sgt. Shughart was fatally wounded, and MSgt. Gordon’s own rifle ammunition ran out, he returned to the wreckage, recovering a rifle with the last five rounds of ammunition and gave it to the pilot with the words, “Good Luck”.
Then, armed only with his pistol, MSgt. Gordon continued to fight until he was fatally wounded.