On this date five years ago, a Force Reconnaissance Platoon was ambushed by several hundred Taliban fighters in the city of Shewan. Thirty Marines bravely fought back waves of Taliban fighters for over eight hours of vicious close quarters combat, suffering hour after hour of withering enemy fire and countless volleys of RPG, mortar, and rocket fire. One by one, their crew served weapons ran dry as the battle raged on until the last remaining magazines were re-distributed and the thirty men conducted a devastating counter attack against the numerically superior and entrenched Taliban force that collapsed their left flank and sparked a panic amongst the enemy. These Reconnaissance Marines fought past the point of exhaustion to continue their relentless assault until the Taliban were driven from the battlefield, leaving the city littered with spent casings, scarred buildings and the broken bodies of the enemy. No Americans were killed during the fighting. Villagers later complained that it took them several days to remove and bury all of the enemy dead.
In 2006 the future of Force Reconnaissance in the Marine Corps was doubtful after the deactivation of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and the creation of MARSOC. The men of 2nd Plt, 1st Force Recon Co, later redesignated 4th Plt, D Co, 1st Recon Bn, later redesignated 2nd Plt, Force Recon Co, I MEF, showed the world and the Marine Corps that not only did Force Reconnaissance continue to exist, it was a critical part to the Marine Corps' continued success in the Global War On Terrorism. The dauntless courage, incredible valor and refined professionalism of these Marines ensured the continued survival and relevance of Force Reconnaissance to the Marine Corps.
Feel free to forward this on to Marines in the MARSOC and Recon communities who wear a black and gold t shirt without understanding the blood, sweat and tears others had to pay for them to do so.
Jaeger 5-1 with you
In 2006 the future of Force Reconnaissance in the Marine Corps was doubtful after the deactivation of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and the creation of MARSOC. The men of 2nd Plt, 1st Force Recon Co, later redesignated 4th Plt, D Co, 1st Recon Bn, later redesignated 2nd Plt, Force Recon Co, I MEF, showed the world and the Marine Corps that not only did Force Reconnaissance continue to exist, it was a critical part to the Marine Corps' continued success in the Global War On Terrorism. The dauntless courage, incredible valor and refined professionalism of these Marines ensured the continued survival and relevance of Force Reconnaissance to the Marine Corps.
Feel free to forward this on to Marines in the MARSOC and Recon communities who wear a black and gold t shirt without understanding the blood, sweat and tears others had to pay for them to do so.
Jaeger 5-1 with you