Saturday, April 24, 2010

An Amazing Story of Heroism on the Battlefield in Afghanistan - Saving Specialist Channing Moss


My friend, Rye Barcott, a combat-tested Marine, has just shared an astonishing story of heroism at many different levels. Here are the introductory words that lead into the video (author unknown):

"Here is something that came out of the war in Afghanistan....

This is an unbelievable story. The video is incredible.

This story is about PVT Channing Moss, who was impaled by a live RPG during a Taliban ambush while on patrol. Army protocol says that medivac choppers are never to carry anyone with a live round in him. Even though they feared it could explode, the flight crew said damn the protocol and flew him to the nearest aid station.

Again, protocol said that in such a case the patient is to be put in sandbagged area away from the surgical unit, given a shot of morphine and left to wait (and die) until others are treated. Again, the medical team ignored the protocol.

Here's a seven-minute video put together by the Military Times, which includes actual footage of the surgery where Dr. John Oh, a Korean immigrant who became a naturalized citizen and went to West Point , removed the live round with the help of volunteers and a member of the EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) team."

Click link below:

Military Times Video

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There are so many heroes in this story. It is difficult not to be moved to tears of wonder, astonishment, pride at all of those who made instantaneous decisions to defy standard protocol to risk their lives to save another.

Al

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