1st Class Randall D. Shughart and Master Sgt. On that day, October 3, 1993, two American heroes Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. As the second Blackhawk, containing Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant, was hit and crashed, Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart, were in a nearby Blackhawk monitoring radio traffic. In December 1983, Shughart returned to active duty and the following year attended Special Forces training. Citation Reads:Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army. Citation Reads:Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army. During his service, he participated in such missions as Operation Just Cause and the Persian Gulf War. The heroic actions of Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart on October 3 ultimately saved Michael Durants life. Instead of being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his mother, Betty, said he would have "wanted to be brought home here," The New York Times previously reported. Your email address will not be published. Immediately after the battle, the Somalis counted at least 25 of their men dead, with much more severely wounded. 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. "This was an example of direct, honest communication and extremely high trust between a team leader and higher command," said Clayton Chun, author of "Gothic Serpent" and chairman of the Department of Distance Education at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. "The snipers' training, adaptive thinking, values and commander's confidence in them allowed them to unequivocally accept the very high risk and take action.". In 1997, the Navy named roll-on/roll-off ship USNSShughart(T-AKR-295) in a ceremony at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego. ", Chun said, "One removed the three other severely injured crew members, while the other provided covering fire and then they quickly assessed their situation. Randy and the Delta Force Team were assisting Army Rangers on Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia. This rifle is a fantastic foundation for a project like this. Then a second Black Hawk was shot down, and militia members and an armed mob converged on the site. Combat Infantryman Badge with Star . His M14 has a camouflage paint scheme and an Aimpoint CompM2/M68 reflex sight. The Battle of Mogadishu resulted in 18 soldiers killed five from Delta Force and 73 wounded. In October 1993, elite American troops launched a disastrous raid in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Realtime quote and/or trade prices are not sourced from all markets. Gordon, the sniper team leader, requested they be inserted at the 2nd crash site. The pilot of Gordon and Shughart's Black Hawk first attempted to land right next to the crash site of Super Six-Four, but the LZ was too hot - a flood of small arms fire, RPGs, and an excess of ground debris and fire made insertion impossible.So instead of putting down in the middle of the action, Gordon and Shughart jumped from the hovering helicopter 100 meters from the crash site, getting . Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Howe said that Gordon would not have given his weapon to someone while he could still fight. Gary Gordon, a Special Forces soldier was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. [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. His teachers thought he was smart, but his grades drifted because he was obsessed doodling "anything and everything military-related," his mother told a reporter. No doubt about it, the rifle in the movie is a full-length M14, similar to the Standard Issue M1A. A smoke grenade gave Gordon and Shughart some cover as they fought their way 100 yards through a shantytown to the downed craft. Shughart was assigned to 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) and transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June 1986. Mission commanders felt it too dangerous and believed the snipers would be of more assistance in the air. [2] Several months later, he completed a pre-ranger course (currently known as SURT, Small Unit Ranger Tactics), was granted a slot to attend Ranger School, graduated, and earned the Ranger Tab. Was he Sgt. Meaning the part over the action is open but there are some Picatinny slots at the rear and front of the receiver. [1] According to Durant's book In the Company of Heroes, the Somalis counted 25 of their militia dead after the firefight. The opposition was much larger and better organized then originally thought and the mission began to take a turn for the worse. Both Gordon and Shughart laid down their lives to save their brothers in arms. Gary Gordon and Sgt. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. The ceremony was attended by Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) and Carmen Gordon, the master sergeants widow. The mission was an assault mission to apprehend advisors to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, and it was to be a short operation. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. In the end, 19 American soldiers were killed, including six Delta Force operators, and 73 were wounded. The USNS Gordon is currently operated by the US Navys Military Sealift Command in Washington, D.C. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. After completing basic training, he successfully finished infantry advanced individual training (AIT). United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (19581993), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, List of post-Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients, "Randall D. Shughart, Sergeant First Class", United States Army Center of Military History, "For 8 Years, a Strained Relationship With the Military", "Cargo Ship Shughart (T-AKR 295) Named After Medal of Honor recipient", "Carlisle Barracks to dedicate Shughart Hall", "JFK Special Warfare Museum: Medal of Honor recipients", "Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor ceremony", "U.S. Army Infantry Homepage: National Infantry Museum Operation Restore Hope", "Naming of Randall D. Shughart United States Post Office Building in Newville, Pennsylvania", "Special Forces Association Chapter LXIV, SFC Randall Shughart Memorial Chapter, Carlisle, PA", "Veterans Memorial Grove and The Battle of Mogadishu Monument", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Randy_Shughart&oldid=1130617837, People from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Members of the United States Army Special Forces, American military personnel killed in action, United States Army Medal of Honor recipients, Battle of Mogadishu (1993) recipients of the Medal of Honor, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. His teammate Randy Shughart retrieved Gordons CAR-15 and gave it to Michael Durant to use. In 1993, Gordon's body was eventually buried and brought back to his hometown in Maine. As for the Shughart M14, its an extremely iconic weapon, and Im proud to have one that resembles that legendary rifle. Gordon, however, repeated his request until he got permission. "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," Gordon's citation says. Carmen Gordon wrote a letter to their children and had it published to help others coping with similar loss: "Your father had two families. 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. Prior to its hiatus, she also served as the Head of Content for UK YouTube publication, TenEighty Magazine. Required fields are marked *, Visit our friends and partners at Nortrack for tracking and other tactical training. The Mission commander said that the situation was already too dangerous for the Delta snipers to safeguard the Blackhawk crew from the ground effectively But, they insisted! Sergeant First ClassRandall David Shughart was born on August 13, 1958, and died on October 3, 1993. Instead of being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his mother, Betty, said he would have "wanted to. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. Gordons body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. Oops, there's been an error. As he was preparing to fast rope from Super 67, Blackburn missed the rope, falling between 60-90 feet ( 18.29m-27.43m). Their ammunition nearly depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali militias gunfire. Armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site and made their way to the downed Black Hawk. While its believed Gordon was the first to die, the official version states it was Shughart. 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. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. Gary Gordon wouldn't give up while aiming to rescue fellow soldiers trapped in Somalia in 1993. Notice: Information contained herein is not and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell securities. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. Both operators died in the battle. Born into a US Air Force family, he joined the Army while in high school. All rights reserved. ". The Lincoln Police Department said that while it may have been a case of vandalism, it also could have also been a "work in progress" with gold lettering on the engravings. In 1989, Gordon was with the outfit in Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama to capture its dictator, Manuel Noriega. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader 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. [12] He then proceeded to openly criticize the president, telling him, "You are not fit to be president of the United States. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. The critical lesson is to never underestimate your enemy. The thoroughness of the pages after the story in the book all seem to indicate that Mark Bowden wrote it very, very diligently. The men wanted to get on the ground, check for survivors and defend the crash of Six-Four. Shughart was assigned to Delta Force and was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June 1986. It also should be noted that Shughart would have had an older Aimpoint, probably the Aimpoint 2000 according to my findings. Shughart was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger. It was intended to last an hour, but ended up extending into the next day. Elements of the Rangers are left to run to a rendez-vous point . The United Nations tried to aid with the resulting famine, but its food rations were seized by local warlords. Just know that my build is like the movie version but in aesthetics only. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons)Gordon wanted to assist the helicopter, but his request was denied. Background. 5 How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? Shughart and Gary Gordon, both Delta Force operators and snipers died in Mogadishu, Somalia in October 1993 after being inserted alone into a crash site for a Blackhawk helicopter which had been shot down while raiding a headquarters of Somali militiamen headed by Mohamed . Delta Force. Both are elite, super soldiers held in the highest regard for their specially-trained combat skills and endurance on and off the battlefield; they are the best of the . Sergeant First Class Shughart provided precision sniper fires from the lead helicopter during an assault on a building and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapon fire and numerous rocket propelled grenades. Not a surprise, since the Vietnam War was on TV every night. Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? Wolcott's body is finally recovered. Archived post. They were the first Medal of Honor recipients since the Vietnam War. SFC Brad Hallings assumed a miniguns control after a crew chief was injured and was not inserted with Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon. Ray Dowdy and Staff Sgt. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Their ammunition nearly depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali militias gunfire. "MSG Gary Gordon is not only a hometown hero for Lincoln, he's an American Hero," the police department said on social media. They likely had an extra bag with ammo that they would have taken with them. 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. 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. Randy Shughart/Place of burial. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. What is the white stuff in my gas fireplace? Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant was already defending the aircraft with an MP5 but was unable to move from his chair due to a crushed vertebra in his back and a comminuted fracture of his left femur. ", Suddenly Durant heard Gordon say, "Damn. In our content, you will see two faces regularly. Both mens bodies were recovered. What happened to the pilot in Black Hawk Down? Shughart's dead body is torn from the Black Hawk: the mob tears the top of his uniform off and carries him through the street with his bare chest facing up. In 1996 the US Navy named two ships after Shughart and Gordon in honor of their heroic actions. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to use this website. Durant is left sitting in a bunker without ammunition. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. After his team member was fatally wounded and his own rifle ammunition exhausted, Master Sergeant Gordon 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, Master Sergeant Gordon continued to fight until he was fatally wounded. While a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) team went to secure it, a second Super Six-Four was also downed. Operation Gothic Serpent was a military operation conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia, by an American-led coalition during the Somali Civil War in 1993. 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. 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. Gordon rarely talked about the details of his military career. On the beach near the base, a memorial was held for those who were killed in combat." 22 . As they monitored the downing of the 2nd Blackhawk it was evident that ground forces would not be available anytime soon to secure the crash site and protect the crew of four, whom all survived the crash. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? However, it added that the family "was never notified that this was happening. Gordon and Shugart are among the Americans honored on Memorial Day, which remembers those who died serving in the military. On October 3, 1993 members of the elite US Army rangers and SOCOMs Delta Force executed a mission to attempt the capture of Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The sniper team began to engage, the attacking Somalis from the opposite side of the wreckage. He and Shughart were lowered to the ground, while their comrade Sergeant First Class Brad Halling stayed aboard to man a machine gun. The first thing you need is an M1A, of course. Gordon's lesson is that when something is crucial, push hard. The mission ultimately culminated in what became known as the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. GunSpot was created to be the one spot for everything gun-related. "We've had a lot of people come forward wanting to help. Nearby operational command sent a ground team with chopper support to rescue the men, but it made slow progress in heavy fighting with Aidid's militia. Did we just find them one day? Gordon and Shughart lost their lives in the assault. While providing critical suppressive fires at the second crash site, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the site. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team for Delta Force and were assigned to over watch the operation, engaging targets from the Blackhawk. Once he committed to something, the way was clear. 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. 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. Shughart returned to the battle alone and was killed shortly after. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader 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. Randall Shughart was a US Army Delta Force soldier. 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. I recently watched Black Hawk Down and I was wondering how the military goes about recovering the bodies of those involved in the last helicopter crash? Immediately after the battle, the Somalis counted 25 of their own men dead with many more severely wounded. Springfield Armory recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a Gary I. Gordon was born in Lincoln, Maine, and graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1978. By this time, more Somali militiamen were arriving intent on either capturing or killing the American servicemen. They acted as if they were in no particular rush, and they raised me up gently and carried me to an open spot on the ground to the right of the cockpit and set me down carefully in the dust. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. 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. Thanks. With the ARMS #18 mount and the Aimpoint PRO installed, we are now about 90% of the way to the finished product. "If our people had cleaned it, they might've done a light sand blast at best, but they would actually do the painting of the engraved parts by hand," he added. Its on GunSpots YouTube channel right now. First, let's give them their due. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. In 1978, he was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Shughart retrieved Gordon's CAR-15 and gave it to Durant to use. [7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. . 1st Class Randy Shughart provided precision sniper fire from the lead helicopter during a building assault and at two helicopter crash sites. Master Sgt. The full "rescue scene" with Shugart and Gordon in HQ. The scenario-based is on Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. On a new IBD podcast, Jon Najarian explains 0DTE options and their unintended impact. Shughart-Gordon Urban Operations Training Center ("MOUT Site"), US Army Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Designed to support up to a battalion-level assault, this . As a person with an interest in guns, movies and military history, its rewarding to take on projects where all those line up. [3], Mission commanders denied Gordon's request twice,[1] saying that the situation was too dangerous for the snipers to protect the crew from the ground. "He and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first Americans to receive our highest military decoration since the Vietnam War.". Who were the 2 soldiers in Black Hawk Down? On May 23, 1994, President Clinton awarded Gordon and Shughart the Medal of Honor, joining just 3,000 others in two centuries. They did that, even though large numbers of armed Somali militia were converging the area. SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), and Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military. Sergeant First Class Shughart, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Sniper Team Member, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Undeterred, Gordon repeated his request until it was granted. For their efforts during the Battle of Mogadishu, Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. [1], Shughart joined the United States Army while attending Big Spring High School in Newville, entering upon graduation in 1976. On May 23, 1994, Gordon and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration for valor under . They were tasked to provide sniper support from the air during the battle, but things went wrong after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider So, feel free to visit and check it out. Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart were the only soldiers participating in Operation Gothic Serpent (Battle of Mogadishu) to receive the military's highest honor and the first Medal of Honor recipients since the Vietnam War. Gary I. Gordon and Randall D. Shughart were true warriors and the finest American heroes. You are not fit to command."[13]. Through negotiation and threats to the Habr Gidr clan leaders by ambassador Robert B. Oakley, all the bodies were eventually recovered. In the movie, there is a single scope ring at the front of the receiver holding an Aimpoint CompM. If they had not come in, I wouldnt have survived. For their bravery and actions beyond the call of duty, the United States government awarded both Shugart and Gordon the Medal of Honor, the only snipers to have ever received the MOH. All rights reserved. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. In December 1983, Shughart returned to active duty and the following year attended Special Forces training. Grant served with and taught marksmanship for the United States Marine Corps. Before painting, I took the gun out of the stock and the handguard off as well as the rubber buttpad. Guns like an M16A1, a Rhodesian baby poop camo-painted FAL, the FNC, the M1 Garand, etc., are all guns I hope to add to my gun safe one day. Mogadishu is a typical third . The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. Their ammunition depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali gunfire. 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. Master Sergeant Gordons 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, Gordons citation says. (from the Bowdens notes: this is because he was at most liberty to talk about the events). Deadly Price. Gary Gordon, however, concluded that there was no way the downed Black Hawk crew could survive on their own because they were outnumbered and critically wounded. 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. Editors Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. On Oct. 3, Gordon was the sniper team leader during Operation Gothic Serpent, an American operation that targeted Aidid's key advisers in the slums of Mogadishu. To me, it looks like he had thinner stripes on the gun than I usually paint, so I held the can closer to get the paint strip narrower. They were at the Black Hawk with the call sign Super 62 (Super Six Two). I made a video about cloning the Gordon Carbine, too. The infamous picture of the US Soldier being dragged shirtless through the street was not either of the CAG Snipers. The information and content are subject to change without notice. [11], Herbert Shughart, Randall Shughart's father, attended the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony at the White House, where he refused to shake hands with U.S. President Bill Clinton. The showdown pitted 160 special operations soldiers arriving in 19 helicopters and 12 vehicles against 3,000 Aidid men. They realized that reinforcements would most likely not arrive in time, but fought on against overwhelming odds, exhibiting selfless service and personal courage. 1st Class Randall Shughart, a 35-year-old from Newville, Pa., who so loved the military that he made his wife, Stephanie, promise never to ask him to quit? Or was he Master Sgt. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Gary Gordon and Sgt. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. He was awarded the Medal of Honor with Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart for heroic actions he performed during Operation Gothic Serpent (Battle of Mogadishu) in October 1993. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? list of intentional communities,
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