“In my opinion—and I’ll say this to my grave—Mitchell was the true hero that day. I did what I had to do because it’s called survival and the right thing to do. I had no choice. But Mitchell voluntarily ran through enemy fire and joined us in a room that was sealed off from rescue and covered by enemy fire to try and help us. He is the true hero.”
CLASSIC KASAL
Mitchell has another point of view: “Kasal was being First Sergeant Kasal. He told me, ‘We need help.’ He didn’t sound excited or out of control; he was strictly business. He gave me a strict assessment of the situation. To me it was like getting an order from the First Sergeant when I came into the room. He told me I needed to concentrate on saving the lives of as many Marines as I could, save Nicoll, and then get the fuck out. He had control of the doorway and I knew that he was going to be fine.”
So Mitchell turned his attention to Nicoll and tried to get a pressure bandage on him. “I had a hard time getting off his vest,” he says. “I was having trouble using my arms.
“Then Kasal started talking to us just to keep us from blacking out while I was attending him and Nicoll. They took the brunt of that grenade. Kasal was bleeding out from his back and Nicoll was bleeding out from his leg and his stomach. I tried to help them. I thought Nicoll was going to die.”
Mitchell says he has no memory of the grenade blast that sent seven pieces of shrapnel into his left leg. “I guess it happened when I was running across the main room. It was only five or six steps. Kasal asked me if I was hurt and then I saw the blood on my leg. It really didn’t hurt that bad. I looked down and saw blood. I saw I was peppered with some pretty good-size pieces. My adrenaline was going strong so I didn’t feel too much. Every wound I got was like that. It never hurt me until later.”
First Sgt Bradley Kasal talks to admiring Iowa legislators after being honored with a Joint Resolution of the Iowa Legislature commending him for his service and heroism in Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004.
Photo courtesy Nat Helms
A burned vehicle loaded with AK-47 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and various support items outside of the Al Jumhoria Medical Clinic in Fallujah, Iraq, 16 November 2004, after multinational forces pressed into the city to battle the entrenched insurgents.
Inside of burned vehicle.
U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl Theresa M. Medina
Soldiers from the 6th Battalion, New Iraqi Army, stand guard over suspected insurgents captured during a raid on a suspected insurgent’s house on the outskirts of Fallujah during combat operations, 15 November 2004.
U. S. Army photo by SFC Johancharles Van Boers
A 120-mm rocket, fired by insurgents, hits near Camp Fallujah during combat operations on 15 November 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Army photo by SFC Johancharles Van Boers
This Iraqi vehicle was destroyed during an attack by RCT-1 USMC on Route Henry, where 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment was conducting clearing operations during Operation Al Fajr/Phantom Fury. Operation Al Fajr was part of a security and stabilization operation (SASO) conducted during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Benjamin J. Flores
Two U.S. Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, carry unexploded ordnance found in several crypts in a graveyard in Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
Destruction as far as the eye can see, Fallujah.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Philben Murtog
SgtMaj Bradley A. Kasal, USMC (right), was awarded the Navy Cross and promoted to sergeant major, then reenlisted at Camp Pendleton. LtCol David L. Reeves, Assault Amphibian School Battalion’s commanding officer, congratulates Sergeant Major Kasal, who was awarded the medal for extraordinary heroism in Fallujah, 13 November 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Luis R. Agostini
Fallujah from a 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment overwatch position. During the battle 60 percent of the 140,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at an Nasiriyah during “Bridge Fights.” “Kilo” Company participated in the longest and fiercest battle at an Nasiriyah facing Fedayeen Saddam “ninjas” secreted in the houses shown in the photograph.
USMC/DoD Archives
M1A2s from the Arm’s 2/7 Cavalry move past 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment TOC prior to crossing the line of departure a day before Operation Al Fajr/Phantom Fury.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
M1A2 C-22 from “Charlie” Trp., 2/7 Cavalry, U.S. Army, closes up on a house in Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr/ Phantom Fury.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
U.S. Navy corpsman treats a wounded Marine at RCT-1 Battalion Aid Station in northwestern Fallujah, 5 November 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl Theresa M. Medina
2/7 Cavalry crossing Phase Line Beth with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
Sketch of “Hell House” at Fallujah where Kasal and Cpl Robert R. J. Mitchell earned Navy Crosses in the same engagement on 13 November 2005.
Courtesy SgtMaj Brad Kasal
Airstrike on fortified building holding up drive through Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr/Phantom Fury. U.S. Army armor was essential to break through heavily fortified positions of resisting insurgents.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
Weapons Platoon K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, takes a break on the roof of a house during heavy fighting in Fallujah. The Marines used every weapon in their arsenal to crush heavily fortified al Qaeda–led insurgent fighters.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
Front side of Fallujah train station where 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, RCT-1, and U.S. Army tanks from Task Force 2/7 spearheaded the drive into the fortified city of Fallujah.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
50-cal. M2 heavy machine gun on Marine Corps M2A1 main battle tank. The heavy armor of the Marines and U.S. Army Task Force 2/7 Cavalry was essential for breaking through heavy lines of resistance at Fallujah. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment was supported by 2nd Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry when driving down Route Henry to divide enemy forces.
U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle
SgtMaj Bradley Kasal celebrating with father Gerald (foreground) and family members after a joint resolution read before both chambers of the Iowa Legislature. At the time Kasal’s leg was still on the mend. His father died of cancer soon after this picture was taken.
Photo courtesy Nat Helms
Portrait of SgtMaj Bradley Kasal.
Photo courtesy Nat Helms
Flattened house in the Nazal district of Fallujah following fighting between al Qaeda–financed insurgency and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 11 November 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment commanding officer LtCol Willard “Willie” Buhl confers with GEN George Casey, USA, commander of all forces in Iraq, 11 November 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
Iraqi police officers prepare to check Iraqi citizens for weapons and proper identification as they enter the city of Fallujah through the first section of Entry Control Point (ECP) no. 2 on 28 December 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt Robert Blankenship
An Iraqi police officer (left) checks the identification of an Iraqi citizen as he enters the city of Fallujah through the first section of ECP no. 2 on 28 December 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt Robert Blankenship
U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division guard ECP no. 2 in Fallujah on 28 December 2004.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl
Ryan L. Jones
U.S. Marines assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, RCT-1 watch from their amphibious assault vehicles (AAV7A1) as EOD operations are conducted at Al Fajr, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Mace M. Gratz
U.S. Marine from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, RCT-1 prepares to light a fuze in order to demolish enemy munitions from a captured truck in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Mace M. Gratz
Marines from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division look for insurgents while patrolling in the city of Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
This building, positively identified as housing insurgent forces, is engaged by Marines as they search for insurgents and weapons hidden in the city of Fallujah, 9 November 2004, during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by E LCpl Joel A. Chaverri
Marines from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division search the streets of Fallujah, looking for insurgents and weapons on 9 November 2004 during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
A Marine extends a helmet over a wall, trying to lure insurgents into firing on it and showing their position during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Joel A. Chaverri
A confirmed insurgent stronghold goes up in smoke after a strategic aerial strike during combat operations while Marines search for insurgents and weapon caches during a SASO conducted as part of Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Joel A. Chaverri
Marines from Company C, 2nd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment board a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Forward Operating Base Camp Al Qaim, Al Anbar province, during Operation Al Fajr. Marines from all over Al Anbar province were sent to Fallujah during what was later determined to be the fiercest battle of Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Christopher G. Graham
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division move toward their objective while clearing a mosque of insurgents and enemy forces within the city of Fallujah in support of continuing SASO in Al Anbar province during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Joel A. Chaverri
Weapons and ammunition found in crypts and in a graveyard at Al Fallujah by U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division and Iraqi Special Security Forces during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones
1st Marine Division grunts take up an overwatch position atop a building during a house-clearing patrol in Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl James J. Vooris
“I WASN’T GOING TO FAIL”
Even at that point Kasal was more worried about Nicoll and Mitchell than he was about himself. He was afraid they were going to bleed out and he wasn’t going to be able to help them. He figured the only thing he could do was maintain his composure.
“I wasn’t scared and I was never unconscious or losing consciousness,” he says. He never yelled out in pain or panic, which some might credit to that classic Kasal toughness. But Kasal offers a second reason for his steely calm. “That is what leadership is,” he explains simply. “If I had been screaming or hopeless, how reassuring would that have been to Nicoll?”
Besides, he adds, “I never felt hopeless as long as I had a weapon, as long as I had a bullet left, as long as I had some fight in me. Sometimes, for a second or two I thought I might not make it out because of blood loss, but I wasn’t going to let that thought seep in. Nicoll’s life depended on me and I wasn’t going to fail.”
Once Mitchell arrived Kasal was encouraged. “Mitchell, in my eyes, is not an ordinary Marine. He was an above-and-beyond NCO, so having him there gave me more reassurance because of the brotherhood of Marines, that camaraderie of Marines.
“Mitchell’s first reaction upon arriving was to ask us about our wounds while ignoring his own,” Kasal continues. “I told him bluntly, ‘Don’t worry about mine; just treat Nicoll’—as I couldn’t do a very good job—‘and I’ll watch the door to keep the little bastards back.’ Mitchell then put his full efforts into treating Nicoll as I faced the doorway.
“I knew how much punishment I could take. That is why I refused medical attention. I was determined to fight until I was dead or until all three of us were medevac’d.”
Mitchell was equally unaffected by their predicament. He was more worried about a satchel charge or fragmentation grenade arriving airmail from somewhere outside the door than of dying from his shrapnel wounds. He figured that Kasal had the door, and as long as Kasal could hold a weapon nobody was going to get past him. The only way Mitchell figured anyone was going to get them while they were in the room was to either throw in a frag or rush the room and shoot them. All he could do in the meantime was sit tight and try to help.
“YOUR RIFLE AIN’T WORTH A SHIT”
Random gunfire continued even though the insurgents couldn’t see the wounded Marines. But in the midst of their predicament, wounded and trapped, Mitchell actually laughed when he found out his rifle had been wrecked by an enemy bullet.
“Even though it worried me I had to laugh because the way I found out was pure Alex Nicoll,” Mitchell says. “He was always making fun of a bad situation. I had been there with Kasal and Nicoll for a half hour or 45 minutes when he looks at me. He was lying on his back up against the wall. He had been floating in and out, kind of lying there with his eyes opening and then closing again. Every once in a while he would moan or sigh, something like that. He never screamed.
“Out of the blue he says, ‘You know, Mitchell, your rifle ain’t worth a shit.’ I looked at it and there was a hole in the bolt! It was shot to shit, useless. I had to laugh. It wasn’t what he said; it was the way he said it.”
Finally Mitchell remembered he had a radio, a small civilian-style Motorola unit that all the squad leaders were issued to stay in communication with the platoon sergeants and platoon leaders. Up until then he had forgotten about it.
“I got on my radio, a PRC-148 about the size of a cell phone. I was on the same freq as Grapes. I let Grapes know that Kasal, Nicoll, and me were wounded and pinned down in the little room off to the left of the main entrance. I told him Nicoll was really serious and so was Kasal. I think I told Grapes there were other wounded Marines in the house but that I was unaware of their situation. Since I got in the room with Kasal and Nicoll there had been constant shooting inside the house.”
ATTEMPTING A RESCUE
Mitchell’s call for help galvanized Grapes and Lopez into renewed action. Along with Navy Corpsman Douglas “Doc” Williams they tried to reach the trapped men.
Lopez was ready to try anything. He says: “Me and Doc Williams dismounted. Grapes was already standing there. Doc Williams went over to treat Pruitt, who was wounded in the arm and leg. I went with Grapes to the gate outside the building and looked up on the roof and through the door. We knew there was an insurgent up there from Pruitt, but we couldn’t see him because there was a foot-high wall around the edge of the roof. He could move around on the roof and we couldn’t see him.”
Grapes told them to get on top of a little one-story shack across the street. “We ran out in plain sight to get to the building,” Lopez says. “Our adrenaline was pumping. There was shooting going on all over the place. We jumped up on the shack to see if we could get a shot at the guy on the roof. The shack had a slanted roof that didn’t offer much protection and wasn’t high enough for us to see anything.”
The insurgents’ building was taller and had a catwalk inside. “They used that catwalk to go outside and peek out around the roof,” Lopez says. “We could see the roof but it was not good enough for a shot.”
The rescuers knew that time was running ou
t for the pinned-down men inside. “I wanted to find out about my missing Marines,” Lopez says. “I didn’t know what had happened to First Sergeant Kasal except that he was hit. He was one of the best Marines I had. He had a lot of heart and always tried harder than anybody in my section.
“About that time the QRF [quick reaction force] from 2d Platoon showed up [commanded by Lieutenant John Jacobs]. Then I heard we had a KIA [killed in action]. That is when I found out that there were also more injured inside. We knew we had to get into the building to get them out.
“Lieutenant Grapes told us to go around to the side of the building. First we went to the main entrance but we couldn’t go in that way. We already knew it was covered by fire from Mitchell telling us on the radio. We went around the side of the building. Grapes tried to knock a hole in the building with a sledgehammer.”
Kasal heard Grapes pounding on the wall with the sledge. Pretty soon pieces of concrete started busting loose from the inside wall and pummeling the three men trapped in the room.
“I told Lieutenant Grapes to stop,” Kasal says. “Mitchell had a radio and he had a direct line with Grapes. I was relaying stuff to Mitchell who would then relay it to Grapes. At first we said, ‘Yeah, try and bust a hole through the wall.’ But that didn’t work because debris was hitting us, so we told him to stop and try something else.”
My Men are My Heroes Page 21
