.Firefight in Tal Afar
Ed Malone remembers they had gone out for a "knock and greet" patrol that day in June. About half the platoon went, to meet up with Iraqi security forces advised by an Army National Guard team. They were going to patrol the Sarai District in the city of Tal Afar, Iraq.
June 25, 2005 was just another day for the 3rd ACR. They were taking over responsibility for the region from a departing Army unit and they had already learned that patrolling Tal Afar mean a fight every time. Malone was the first sergeant of Grim Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. This was his second tour in Iraq.
The troops were on foot patrol. Two Bradley Fighting Vehicles accompanied them but were providing security at nearby intersections. Malone had a sniper set up the the highest building in the area to provide over watch, the "Ottoman castle".
The patrol came under small arms fire and Sgt. Jeremy Wolfsteller was hit in the leg. Malone attempted to drag his wounded man to shelter but Wolfsteller was very heavy. Pfc. Eric Woods and Spc. Hoby Bradfield dragged him off. Malone used his combat lifesaver training to aid the wounded soldier.
Some of the shooting was coming from a house nearby. Troops tossed a grenade into the compound and then forced entry. They found a wounded terrorist with a rifle who they secured and began treating for his wound. They searched the house and found a cache of arms and munitions.
Malone sent troops onto the roof. They reported seeing many men with AK-47's maneuvering nearby. The building was receiving constant fire, sometimes heavy and sometimes light.
Helicopter gunships were summoned. A Kiowa relayed that they observed 60-100 men attacking the soldiers. The gunship engaged the enemy in the open.
Malone's sniper was also in action from atop the castle.
The fight went on for over four hours. The decision was made to move a Bradley to the gate of the compound to evacuate the wounded terrorist. He was put on a litter and the American troops moved to put him into the Bradley. A machine gun opened fire on them, and Malone was wounded in the foot.
One Hero's Story
The troops and the Bradley pulled out, returning to base. Malone and Woldsteller eventually were evacuated to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
Malone's unit killed 15-20 enemy fighters, with the sniper accounting for two. The number killed by the air support is not known.
Intelligence after the fight revealed that the area held a large number of al Qaeda foreign fighters. The fight was not planned on their part. They were defending something vital in the area, perhaps a high ranking person.
Malone and Bradfield were awarded the Bronze Star with V, for valor, for their actions that day. Two weeks later, Bradfield was wounded, and Woods was driving him to treatment in an ambulance when terrorists detonated an IED killing both of them.
Sgt. First Class Ed Malone is currently senior military instructor with the academics/departments/mil_science/cadre/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Army ROTC unit at Bowie State University in Maryland. He intends to continue with his military career until retirement.
When asked what lesson he would most like to pass on to his cadet students, Malone said "Think things through before acting. Patience, whether tactical patience or not, pays off. Don't be hasty."
AC
June 25, 2005 was just another day for the 3rd ACR. They were taking over responsibility for the region from a departing Army unit and they had already learned that patrolling Tal Afar mean a fight every time. Malone was the first sergeant of Grim Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. This was his second tour in Iraq.
The troops were on foot patrol. Two Bradley Fighting Vehicles accompanied them but were providing security at nearby intersections. Malone had a sniper set up the the highest building in the area to provide over watch, the "Ottoman castle".
The patrol came under small arms fire and Sgt. Jeremy Wolfsteller was hit in the leg. Malone attempted to drag his wounded man to shelter but Wolfsteller was very heavy. Pfc. Eric Woods and Spc. Hoby Bradfield dragged him off. Malone used his combat lifesaver training to aid the wounded soldier.
Some of the shooting was coming from a house nearby. Troops tossed a grenade into the compound and then forced entry. They found a wounded terrorist with a rifle who they secured and began treating for his wound. They searched the house and found a cache of arms and munitions.
Malone sent troops onto the roof. They reported seeing many men with AK-47's maneuvering nearby. The building was receiving constant fire, sometimes heavy and sometimes light.
Helicopter gunships were summoned. A Kiowa relayed that they observed 60-100 men attacking the soldiers. The gunship engaged the enemy in the open.
Malone's sniper was also in action from atop the castle.
The fight went on for over four hours. The decision was made to move a Bradley to the gate of the compound to evacuate the wounded terrorist. He was put on a litter and the American troops moved to put him into the Bradley. A machine gun opened fire on them, and Malone was wounded in the foot.
One Hero's Story
The troops and the Bradley pulled out, returning to base. Malone and Woldsteller eventually were evacuated to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
Malone's unit killed 15-20 enemy fighters, with the sniper accounting for two. The number killed by the air support is not known.
Intelligence after the fight revealed that the area held a large number of al Qaeda foreign fighters. The fight was not planned on their part. They were defending something vital in the area, perhaps a high ranking person.
Malone and Bradfield were awarded the Bronze Star with V, for valor, for their actions that day. Two weeks later, Bradfield was wounded, and Woods was driving him to treatment in an ambulance when terrorists detonated an IED killing both of them.
Sgt. First Class Ed Malone is currently senior military instructor with the academics/departments/mil_science/cadre/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Army ROTC unit at Bowie State University in Maryland. He intends to continue with his military career until retirement.
When asked what lesson he would most like to pass on to his cadet students, Malone said "Think things through before acting. Patience, whether tactical patience or not, pays off. Don't be hasty."
AC
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