🎖️ Green Beret with one leg, Vietnam story and more

Good morning,

Well what a week it's been. We saw an F-22 fighter shoot down a Chinese balloon that was in US territory. I wondered why a balloon was used, so I did some research and interestingly compared to satellites they fly at lower altitudes, so move with wind patterns, which makes them harder to predict and easier to evade radar detection.

Interesting times we live in...

On this day - 1968

Operation Juniper Shield, formerly known as Operation Enduring Freedom - Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) - is the US military operation in regions of Africa, consisting of counterterrorism efforts to reduce arms and drug trafficking across central Africa. This is part of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and is still ongoing.

On this day in 1968

Troop reinforcement was previously authorized, so 10,500 U.S. airborne troops and marines were dispatched to South Vietnam. There was a political battle with the Military commanders who wanted reservists called up, but the politicians did not want to add to public discontent.

In todays newsletter we honor...

Nick Lavery

This man could have picked up his pension and went on his way, but decided that he wanted to get back to his unit, and go back on operations.

Under normal circumstances this would be an incredible achievement let alone getting back to special forces operations. Amazing story ⬇️ 

Nick, a Massachusetts native, is a highly decorated member of the United States Army Special Forces unit, the Green Berets. These elite soldiers carry out important missions such as direct action, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare.

Afghanistan, March 11th, 2013, Green Beret, Sergeant Nick Lavery was attending a joint patrol with Afghan forces. Suddenly, an Afghan National Police officer opened fire on the formation.

Lavery, stood next to another US Soldier, with no time to think, instinctively pushed his comrade out of harm’s way. As he pushed him backwards, he put himself in between his comrade and the gun fire.

At that moment Lavery was shot in the upper leg which knocked him down on top of the other soldier. The round shattered his femur and severed his femoral artery. Even though he must have been in excruciating pain, he still yelled orders and directed his team until it was safe for them to extract him to the casualty collection point.

For his brave actions he was awarded the silver star, and for most soldiers that would have been the end to military life or at least, operational deployment.

However, Lavery had other ideas. Despite facing numerous surgeries, and a difficult recovery process, he refused medical retirement and worked tirelessly to return to active duty.  

In 2015, he successfully passed a rigorous assessment and was deployed back to Afghanistan where he conducted full-spectrum combat operations, making him the first above-the-knee amputee Special Forces operator to return to combat.

An incredible feat that is testament to his determination and drive to not give in.

Nick is currently serving as a Special Forces Warrant Officer, and is a respected expert in special operations, intelligence fusion, mission planning, and problem solving.

He is also a trailblazer, becoming the first amputee in military history to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor course, and the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification course.

Nick's numerous accolades include the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Star with "V" for valor. He is a true warrior, a remarkable leader, a motivational speaker, an author, and a devoted husband and father of two young boys.

Did you know?

According to the Department of Defense, as of January 2018, more than 1,500 service members lost limbs in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Thanks to advances in modern medicine and the availability of sturdier prosthetics, Soldiers who are able to redeploy after amputation have a number of possible options. Source here

Quote of the week

If you know of any stories that are interesting let me know by hitting reply.

Have a great week and speak soon.

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