In 1992 the United States deployed forces to protect food shipments to the starving people of Somalia. In October of the following year the US initiated "Operation Gothic Serpent" in an attempt to capture the Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. In the course of the operation two Blackhawk helicopters were shot down by Somali's with rocket propelled grenades. The Book and movie "Blackhawk Down" describe the events that took place on October the 3rd and 4th.

During the battle, one of the downed helicopter's crews was trapped and wounded inside their crashed chopper. Hundreds of armed Somalis closed in on the crash site. Circling nearby was a sole "Littlebird" helicopter with two Delta Snipers, SFC Randy Shughart and MSG Gary Gordon. After twice being denied, permission was granted for the two snipers to be placed on the ground and move to the site to protect the crew. Of the crew and the two snipers only the helicopter's pilot, Michael Durant, survived. Gordon and Shughart  were posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

What motivated these two heroes? How and why did they face almost certain death? I can not imagine their courage or what must have gone through their minds. I can only guess. I think that these men could not do nothing. Even though they knew that they would most likely die, they also knew that they did not wish to live when they could have done something. They could not sit and watch as their fellow men were killed. They knew that while they breathed they COULD NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT. And they did not. They died on their feet, rather than live on their knees. They did not ask for "redeployment". They knew there was likely no "exit strategy".  Honor dictated that they could not surrender, even if  "mistakes had been made".

When I mourn the loss of these men I must remind myself of the words attributed to George S. Patton "It is foolish and wrong to mourn that these men died. Rather we should thank God that men like these lived".

In this age of the "me" generation it is difficult to find Heroes to help you teach your children about sacrifice and Honor. People are more likely to fight over their "rights" than accept their duties or responsibilities. The example of Gordon and Shughart is one of the highest Nobility and their names and story should be known by every American. 

Thank you for your example, Randall and Gary.

If you can share their story with someone who has not heard it, please do so. These men earned it.