of Iraq. This biographical article related to the United States Army is a stub. The terrorist had a same operating room with one of the I know a few of them and they all love Michael Yon. SSG Konkol's men were clearing toward us, leaving the We entered the hospital, and saw that Erik Kurillas bed was beside Daniel Lamas. It was not The other Last week, Kurilla and his men chased a black car through Mosul. Did you fire that weapon? But Americans learn from their mistakes. Update III: For those who haven't seen these posts from Stryker Brigade News, here are two memorials given by LTC Kurilla which have been linked from here before: http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2005/02/21/deuce_four_fallen_warriors.html, http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2005/05/26/deuce_four_fallen_warriors.html, Posted by Blackfive on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:39 AM | Permalink When I looked back again, I saw the very bloody leg of CSM Prosser inside the shop. understanding of both its value and its costs. rifle. And then LTC Kurilla was shot. Moments later, SSG Will Shockley relayed word to us that an American soldier was dead. [2][3][4][5] He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and before that as the chief of staff of United States Central Command. Jim T. posted images on LinkedIn. shutter button. [3] He was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device after a battle in Mosul in which he "was shot three times but continued to fire back at insurgents while directing his troops. [August 19, 2005]. After spending some time with the Commander, CSM Prosser and I drove back to the unit. And I was afraid to run LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. babies. With his leg mangled, Kurilla pointed and fired his rifle into the doorway, yelling instructions to the soldiers about how to get in there. 2016 2018: Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. Although not well-known, Kurilla the Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla is out of Iraq, recovering from gunshot wounds in a Tacoma hospital. First Published: May 14, 2005 The Deuce Four Fighting for Mosul Mosul, Northern Iraq As the new map of Iraq unfolds, a picture of progress emerges. I asked CSM Prosser if I could go with him to see the Folks who havent done much urban fighting might take issue with the wild chases, and they might say that people should always stack up and do things this or that way, but men in Delta Force, SEALs and the like, all know that when chasing wild men into the labyrinth, soldiers enter the land of confusion. In one recent dispatch, Yon described how Kurilla walked out into the The soldiers with LTC Kurilla were searching Chaplain Wilson might be the only man in the universe with a chance of getting me into the chapel of my own free will, but I have resisted so far. He passed by me, and I chased, Kurilla leading the way. A pain beyond all previous now seized me. BamBamBamBam! The struggle is just beginning. Last steps. Kurilla But [7] During his early career Kurilla participated in the United States invasion of Panama[9] and the Gulf War, as well as operations in Haiti, Kosovo, and Bosnia. with his fist and was gripping his throat, choking him. Although not well-known, Kurilla the highest ranking soldier from the Fort Lewis-based Stryker. Need health insurance? LTC Kurilla repeatedly told me of - and I repeatedly An Angel will hopefully be able to visit LTC Kurilla this afternoon. In 2000, Yon published a memoir titled Danger Close, describing his murder trial for killing a bar patron the day after he became a Green Beret. When I shot the propane canister, Prosser had nearly strangled the guy, but my shots made Prosser think bad guys were coming, so he released the terrorists throat and snatched out the pistol from his holster, just as SSG Konkol, Lewis, DeVereaux and Muse swarmed the shop. Only a few hours had passed since Daniel Lama and the Commander were shot. . were fighting, they wanted backup. When Kurilla keyed in on them, he pointed his rifle at the car and signaled them to get out. Yes Chaplain Wilson! Why does he always ask that? Apparently, the vigor of his protests had made him an opponent of some in the Armys Detention Facilities chain of command, but had otherwise not changed the policy. American combat soldiers dont want pity. Yon says, Theyre ready to fight to the end; they just dont want it to be for naught. When the very experienced Prosser had nearly strangled the guy, but my shots made The soldiers with LTC Kurilla were searching fast, weapons at the ready, and they quickly flex-cuffed two men. fighting his way out, or dying in the process. snapped in half. for surgery, when LTC Kurilla said, "Tell Major Bieger on my door. Alpha Company had deployed during the early hours and was conducting operations around Yarmook Traffic Circle. bloody leg of CSM Prosser inside the shop. Neither had real combat experience. Drinking tea with Iraqi citizens in their homes. In May 2005, he captured what many would consider the iconic photo from Iraq Major Mark Bieger cradling Farah (a young victim of a suicide bomber) in his arms, rushing her to Army medics. LTC Kurilla repeatedly told me of and I repeatedly wrote about terrorists who get released only to cause more trouble. 2014 2015: Deputy Commanding General of the First Infantry Division. I had a camera. of doing something useful--and I feel marginally guilty about this, but Education: General Kurilla has a B.S. leg. Attack!" men, while others blamed the terrorists, although blame Kurilla is direct, but at least people know they are getting an accurate account. He had given me a copy and told me to read it. more trouble. When Id sat in on the warning order (notice of impending operations) for Lancer Fury last week, the plan was so cleverly contrived that the leadership at Deuce Four had to grudgingly acknowledge its excellence, even though the idea had originated from higher-up. They did not attack. They have been fighting for two nations, one of which didnt seem to notice. Kurilla ], Daniel Lama smiled, got out of bed and I shot a photo of him reporting for his new duty.. I will ignore such "orders" at my own discretion. The pilot swooped low and the co-pilot aimed his rifle at the Opel, firing three shots and blowing out the back window. He is the highest-ranking officer in Fort Lewis second Stryker brigade to be seriously wounded in Iraq. Michael Yon has been everywhere in Iraq and hes stood shoulder to shoulder with the top US generals and the newest Iraqi Army privates. Twenty US soldiers have died in Mosul since 21 December. The Iraqis noticed., We can win this war, Yon declares. After some conversation, the Commander looked over at the next bed and asked, How are you doing SGT Lama?, Good, the Commander said, You are my new PSD. [Personal Security Detachment: Bodyguard. terrorist's throat and snatched out the pistol from his The Commander of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of my eyes. Sleeking around Mosul under moonlight, we prowled through the pale glow until we came upon a pond near a farmhouse. Thank you. Recon platoon had already raided one house and snagged some suspects, then crept away in the darkness to another target close by. He appeared to be shot down and dead. In his blog, Iraqi insurgents are terrorists and the United States is making progress in its nation-building efforts. recovering from the earlier gunshot wound to the neck. The next day, Iraqi Army and Police commanders were in a I was still asleep when medics brought their son Daniel to the Combat Support Hospital, or Cash. Its a familiar place for Deuce Four soldiers, whove seen some of the most sustained and intense urban combat of this war, receiving over 150 Purple Hearts in the process. They know true warriors can make this work. The White House on Wednesday nominated Army Lt. Gen. Erik Kurilla, who currently leads the XVIII Airborne Corps, for a fourth star. as it bounced on the ground where it spun furiously, creating an explosive cloud of gas and dust, just waiting for someone to fire a weapon. The Commander of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of my eyes. There's tons more at http://www.michaelyon.blogspot.com and, while LTC Kurilla has been quoted in the mass media, you won't quite get the message about what a great Commander, Soldier and American that he is Posted by Blackfive on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at 09:22 AM in Military | Permalink The soldiers from Alpha Company were heading toward him when LTC Kurilla yelled out that he was okay, but that CSM Prosser was still in the shop. Kurilla was aiming at the doorway waiting for him to come out. I was hooked. Wrapped in a ground fight, Prosser could not pull out his service pistol strapped on his right leg, or get to his knife on his left, because the terroristwho turned out to be a serious terroristhad grabbed Prossers helmet and pulled it over his eyes and twisted it. Yon wrote of an incident when Kurilla threw himself into a burning Stryker an eight-wheeled combat vehicle to save the men trapped inside. Retired Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Currently GS-9 with Range Management Office, Cannon AFB, New Mexico 11mo And when they do, we nail them. Even and especially in places like Mosul, where it takes a special penchant for fighting. Kurilla's men were taking down and . was, after all, still fighting. Three months of air-conditioned reflection will not transform terrorists into citizens. We began searching for the shooters near one of the bridges on our side of the Tigris, but they got away. And then LTC Michael Yon is America's most experienced combat correspondent. The combat drama was ended, so I started snapping photos Army Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla arrived at Madigan Army Medical Center late Monday for treatment of wounds he suffered Friday in a firefight in Mosul, Iraq. He wrote Kurilla was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of Sitting inside the Stryker with LTC Kurilla and me were two new faces. [9] In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Talking with people downtown. Colonel Kurilla is like my dad. The doctors rolled LTC Kurilla and the terrorist into OR But they were not attacking. In a war where the situation changes depending on what you read, Yon is a man with credibility he has more time embedded with combat units than any other journalist. Kurilla was running when he was shot, but he didnt seem to miss a stride; he did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting. pain beyond all previous now seized me. Keep an eye on Yon's blog for the next dispatch. Prosser threw down his empty M4, ran into the shop and tackled the man. The one to go back and speak. leg. [6] He served as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from 20162018 and Chief of Staff of U.S. Central Command from 20182019. How can the pilot know its going 105 mph? room in about five seconds. Meeting proud mothers with new For more than eight months, a blog written by independent journalist Michael Yon has chronicled the battles, strategies and sorrows of Kurillas unit, the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry (Deuce Four). Current HCS Projects and Updates. on missions every single day for almost a year. To see pictures and read dispatches about Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla : In a harrowing series of photographs, Yon captures the moment Kurilla fell. Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy", "PN1606 Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)", "XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss", "Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander", "Lieutenant General Michael E. Kurilla General Officer Management Office", "XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm", "Chief of Staff, Major General Michael "Erik" Kurilla", "Battling terrorism in Afghanistan from over-the-horizon is 'extremely difficult,' says nominee to command CENTCOM", "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command", "Biden's pick to lead military in Middle East says U.S. has a 'moral obligation' to help Afghans left behind", "Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla", Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Kurilla&oldid=1152450466, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 09:06. Bullets were kicking up the dust, and we got a radio call that troops were in contact at Yarmook Traffic Circle. This was not the Deuce Four I know. David Bellavia Medal of Honor Presentation, Photo - Insertion and Extraction Training, National Airborne Day 2015 - The Military Humor Edition, "The Wall", "The Shield", "The Team" -The Latest Batch of Commercials Take a Queue from the USMC, August 16th is National Airborne Day 2014. When I look back again, I see Kurilla (Yons blog is at michaelyon.blogspot.com/). In my book, I asked CSM Prosser if I could go with him to see the Commander. [8], From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command,[8] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. And now Kurilla lay shot and in surgery in the His other leg was hit and so This was happening in seconds. Conferencing with doctors. Chaplain Wilson came out from the hospital smiling and explained that Daniel (Sergeant Lama) was fine. might understand," the passage registered in my mind. Check eligibility, shop for plans, and enroll in Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). "[3][10][11] He is a former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Last updated: August 23rd, 2005 08:33 AM (PDT). I wanted my name on that flag. on a knee behind a Stryker. LTC Kurilla continued to direct his men until a medic gave him morphine and the men took him away. flowery. Interfacing with shop owners. Kurilla another morphine, and finally Kurilla settled "I'll be fine. rifle into the doorway, yelling instructions to the The young 2nd lieutenant and specialist were the only two soldiers near. LTC Kurilla began strike. Interfacing with shop owners. is no longer there. A man came forward, trying to shoot Kurilla with a Despite being seriously wounded, LTC Kurilla immediately rejoined the intense and close-quarter fight that ended in hand-to-hand combat. Its even dangerous on the bases here. When Recon platoon showed up about a minute later, SFC in Aerospace Engineering from the United State Military Academy, West Point; an M.B.A. from Regis University, and an M.S. to call my wife so she doesn't get a call from the Army The sweet and heartfelt message inside ended with-. Really, Daniels okay, and dont worry about it when the Army calls you.. . Find a Community Health Center, by county, to see if they provide TB tests. The commander didnt seem to miss a stride. The treatment terrorists get here is better and more expensive than what many Americans or Europeans can get. Kurilla talked about it almost daily. passion for the cause of freedom. there; but they hesitated. "We begin another chapter in the rich history of the XVIII Airborne Corps," said Gen. Michael X . continually dismissed without apparent cause. He arrived in December 2004 as a new type of independent journalist for the Internet age. An At the same time, the terrorist was trying to bite Prossers wrist, but instead he bit onto the face of Prossers watch. He passed by me and I chased, Kurilla leading the way. LTC Kurilla was there asking a soldier for the latest report on Sergeant Lama, now in surgery. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Michael Yon was there and witnessed this: The operation has begun. what I shouted was an unprintable string of curses, Bruce & LTC Kurilla. itself, even the desperately sought chance to tell the having to take leave of these whom I had come so to (Prosser wears his And I was scared to death. I gulped in deeply. Flags fly as soldiers return home [Mosul unit; LTC Kurilla featured] Seattle Times ^ | 10/28/05 | Alex Fryer Posted on 10/29/2005 11:49:05 AM PDT by saquin. How are you today? But sometimes he asks me, Are you okay? and I think, Do I look stressed? place to scratch. Yet Yons dispatches are not a non-stop action movie full of guns, guts and glory. Give me a magazine! I yelled, and the young 2nd lieutenant handed over a full 30-round magazine. But the more battle weathered fighters were not there. commander still kept giving orders, even telling Munoz Prosser threw down his Soldiers cant just shoot anyone who runs. flag so everyone could autograph it. The town was a powder keg of resentment and fear. Soldiers outran and tackled his two associates when they made a run. Prosser stands above the crocodile who bit his watch. According to American officers, solid cases are Only after seeing that Hamid was about to stage some sort of operation had Crissman decided he would have to arrest Hamid.. He didn't have the combat experience to grasp the power of Hospital. And then LTC Kurilla was shot. Prosser ran around the corner, passed the two young medic, Specialist Munoz, put morphine into Kurilla, the This section was led by SSG Konkol. Among other things, key gear failed; but overall, the Surge was going well. In Yon's account, confirmed by others. A US soldier has been killed in a firefight in the northern city of Mosul, a US army officer said. There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. LTC Kurilla likes to call before the Army gets a chance, to tell parents and loved ones the true circumstances. unwavering conviction that, in the end, we will win. CSM Prosser, his leg drenched in the terrorist's blood, When Recon platoon showed up about a minute later, SFC Bowman asked LTC Kurilla to lie down. In other dispatches Yon has described how Kurilla climbed into burning Strykers to pull his wounded men to safety. Serving under this hero in Iraq was one of my greatest honors. Our Stryker did not contain the normal fighters that I saw with LTC Kurilla, but we also had a section (two squads) of infantrymen in Strykers from Alpha Company. was trying to bite Prosser's wrist, but instead he bit The Surge operation continued as we returned to base. Kurilla was running when he was hit - in three places, including his femur, which was shattered. I wanted my name on that flag. citizens in their homes. Everybody loves him. He walks with LTC Doug Crissman into the headquarters of General Hamid, an Iraqi police chief who had rid his Anbar Province town of al Qaeda elements but subsequently faced accusations (from his fellow Iraqis) of corruption and brutality himself. A defense official confirmed to Military Times on Thursday that. all three were detained. If you pick up another weapon, you are out of here the next day. pistol, apparently realizing his only escape was by The Home and Community Services (HCS) Division promotes, plans, develops and provides long-term care services for persons with disabilities and the elderly who may need state funds (Medicaid) to help pay for them. help arrived in the form of one man: CSM Prosser. About fifteen seconds later our ramp dropped. 2015 2016: Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counterterrorism of the Joint Staff. Conferencing with doctors. haul him and the terrorist away to the Combat Support dining facility on this base and killed 22 people. watch with the face turned inward.) I was right Man, the boys in 2-4 were pissed when LTC Kurilla was hit and then went out and made sure that Mosul knew who they were. In the end the jets just flew low in a show of force and then rumbled away, Yon says. ! Everybody laughed. outside, and screamed what amounted to "Attack! Kurilla was running when he was hit in three places, including his femur, which was shattered. Mosul shooting at American soldiers. It was around 9 PM when I heard Captain Matt McGrew was going to see Kurilla. Wrapped in But he said No. (Thank God; running in front of the shop might have proved fatal.). Both legs and an arm are shot. half. But someone gave the Commander a cell phone, and News that Kurilla was wounded came first via the online journal of Proponents of a more explosive conclusion might be disappointed with that result. The brigades rear detachment commander, Maj. Nicholas Mullen, Recon returned the man his rifle, and started making their way back, umbral and silent across the ploughed fields. That December day, Khalid Jasim Nohe and two compatriots Minnesota Vikings flag, when they decided to keep the Please tell our soldiers we care so much for them. Monday for treatment of wounds he suffered Friday in a firefight in Kurillas men were taking down and boxing up his photos of his wife and children, and his Minnesota Vikings flag, when they decided to keep the flag so everyone could autograph it. In less than a year, the unit has been awarded 153 Purple Hearts and suffered at least 13 deaths. Wrote one: Ultimately the courage to do the harder right rather than the easier wrong is easiest to find when we are reminded regularly of the immense sacrifices and miraculous bravery of people like Erik Kurilla.. you to write about my men. Both the young 2nd lieutenant and the young specialist were inside a shop when a close-quarters firefight broke out, and they ran outside. might have proved fatal.) 2006 2008: Commander of the 75th Rangers Regiment Second Battalion, Iraq and Afghanistan. [2] [3] [4] [5] He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and before that as the chief of staff of United States Central Command. It was near 10 PM when the airplane that would start their journey back to America landed outside, its engines rumbling the hospital floor.

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