Entered service at: Born: Lincoln, Maine. The ceremony was attended by Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) and Carmen Gordon, the master sergeants widow. Their ammunition nearly depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali militias gunfire. Citation: Master Sergeant Gordon, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Gary I. Gordon, for their actions on Oct. 3, 1993. Shughart's body was recovered after several days. [7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. Of the four man crew, only Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived, suffering a crushed vertebra and comminuted fracture to his left femur. Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Rob Guzzo: The Tragic Story of a Dedicated Navy SEAL, The Day of the Rangers: An unforgettable moment in military history. Shortly after, Shughart was killed, the site was overrun and Durant was taken hostage. In 1993, Gordon's body was eventually buried and brought back to his hometown in Maine. In 1993, Gordons body was eventually buried and brought back to his hometown in Maine. "This was an example of direct, honest communication and extremely high trust between a team leader and higher command," said Clayton Chun, author of "Gothic Serpent" and chairman of the Department of Distance Education at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. "The snipers' training, adaptive thinking, values and commander's confidence in them allowed them to unequivocally accept the very high risk and take action.". After putting the gun back together, I ended up putting on a National Match leather sling to get the same look from the film. Sergeant First Class Shughart's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him-self, his unit and the United States Army. . In spite of these deficiencies, however, Black Hawk Down is a very realistic, historically accurate portrayal of modern war and tells a relevant and powerful story in an almost flawless example of an American war movie. [1], Shughart joined the United States Army while attending Big Spring High School in Newville, entering upon graduation in 1976. Its on GunSpots YouTube channel right now. The critical lesson is to never underestimate your enemy. 2023 Springfield Armory. Gordon, the sniper team leader, requested they be inserted at the 2nd crash site. In December 1983, Shughart returned to active duty and the following year attended Special Forces training. By most accounts, Gordon was killed first, with Shughart returning to an injured Mike Durant to give him Gordon's carbine. Mike Durant survived and is alive today. The next thing you need to pull off the look is, of course, a 20-round magazine. It was intended to last an hour, but ended up extending into the next day. Several months later, he completed a pre-ranger course (currently known as SURT, Small Unit Ranger Tactics), was granted a slot to attend Ranger School, graduated, and earned the Ranger Tab. TRENDING: Tech Stock In Buy Zone As It Joins Sector Leaders' Final Four. Gordon's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. Sergeant First Class Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft, establishing a perimeter which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most vulnerable position. His teammate Randy Shughart retrieved Gordons CAR-15 and gave it to Michael Durant to use. M14. Aidid was fatally wounded in a battle with a rival militia two years later. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. So, feel free to visit and check it out. Honours and Awards. Two Delta Force operators Master Sgt. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. Godron, 33, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Helicopter with call sign Super 61 (Super Six One). GunSpot was created to be the one spot for everything gun-related. ", Suddenly Durant heard Gordon say, "Damn. Citation Reads:Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? "When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site," his medal citation reads. 12 'Dirt Cheap' Stocks Are Due For A Rally, Analysts Say, Top Funds Shovel Billions Into These Five Sectors, Tech Stock In Buy Zone As It Joins Sector Leaders' Final Four, "For Military Merit: Recipients of the Purple Heart,". The story of courage and self-sacrifice is best portrayed in the heroic story of MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart. In 1997, the Navy named roll-on/roll-off ship USNSShughart(T-AKR-295) in a ceremony at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego. The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. The initial insertion attempt failed and they had to insert about 100 meters away from the crash site. In December 1983, Shughart returned to active duty and the following year attended Special Forces training. Armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site and made their way to the downed Black Hawk. Randall David Shughart (August 13, 1958 October 3, 1993) was a United States Army Delta Force operator who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu, during Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993. Legendary Delta Force operator Norm Hooten talks about his storied career, his scariest moment, and the one thing to always remember in a firefight. certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. Undeterred, Gordon repeated his request until it was granted. A smoke grenade gave Gordon and Shughart some cover as they fought their way 100 yards through a shantytown to the downed craft. The Mission commander said that the situation was already too dangerous for the Delta snipers to safeguard the Blackhawk crew from the ground effectively But, they insisted! Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. These By the fall of 1992, the nation of Somalia was war-torn and ravaged by famine. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. Gary Gordon and Sgt. Upon reaching the downed Blackhawk, which was under intense fire, Gordon and Shughart pulled the crew from the wreckage and proceeded to setup a defensive parameter. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. Later investigation and reconstruction concluded that Gordon was the first to be killed. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader, while under intense fire from the enemy, fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured crew members. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. "Gordon was the epitome of the dependable individual who so believes in taking responsibility that he gives his life to protect his fellow men," Fred Borch, author of "For Military Merit: Recipients of the Purple Heart," told IBD. He initially served with the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Special Forces, then became a sniper for the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, better known as Delta Force an elite Army anti-terror unit. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. After their wedding came a son, Ian, then a daughter, Brittany. The pilot of Gordon and Shughart's Black Hawk first attempted to land right next to the crash site of Super Six-Four, but the LZ was too hot - a flood of small arms fire, RPGs, and an excess of ground debris and fire made insertion impossible.So instead of putting down in the middle of the action, Gordon and Shughart jumped from the hovering helicopter 100 meters from the crash site, getting . Get market updates, educational videos, webinars, and stock analysis. SFC Brad Hallings assumed a miniguns control after a crew chief was injured and was not inserted with Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon. Authors may own the stocks they discuss. 1st Class Randy Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions to secure the site of one of the Black Hawk crashes to recover survivors. After his father, Herbert Shughart, left the Air Force, the Shugharts moved to Newville, Pennsylvania, to live and work on a dairy farm. As the second Blackhawk, containing Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant, was hit and crashed, Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart, were in a nearby Blackhawk monitoring radio traffic. As he was preparing to fast rope from Super 67, Blackburn missed the rope, falling between 60-90 feet ( 18.29m-27.43m). Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. His actions saved the pilots life. His actions saved the pilots life. In 1992, a cease-fire opened the way for the United Nations to deliver food, protected by a coalition that included U.S. troops. One was us and the other was his comrades. [2] Several months later, he completed a pre-ranger course (currently known as SURT, Small Unit Ranger Tactics), was granted a slot to attend Ranger School, graduated, and earned the Ranger Tab. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more! I have the utmost respect for the two men and, as a gun enthusiast and creator, I wanted to do a project that could honor their memory. On October 3, 1993 members of the elite US Army rangers and SOCOMs Delta Force executed a mission to attempt the capture of Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid. He joined the Boy Scouts and played football in high school, graduating in 1978. On October 3, 1993, during an assault mission to apprehend advisors to the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. Theres an on-going debate on whos tougher: a Navy SEAL or a member of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachments Delta Unit, a.k.a. Meaning the part over the action is open but there are some Picatinny slots at the rear and front of the receiver. Were they given back along with the surviving pilot? [4] Command's position was that the snipers could be of more assistance by providing air cover. The full "rescue scene" with Shugart and Gordon in HQ. His actions saved the pilot's life. The infamous picture of the US Soldier being dragged shirtless through the street was not either of the CAG Snipers. Not a surprise, since the Vietnam War was on TV every night. Following the announcement, the Lincoln Police Department received an outpouring of support for repairing the gravestone. In December 1992, the United States began Operation Restore Hope. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. He was a soldier in the United States Army special operations unit, the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force). Privacy Policy. At the time, the United States was leading a UN mission to end the civil war and famine in Somalia. Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia as part of Task Force Ranger. SHUGHART-GORDON VILLAGE. Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. Shughart went back around the helicopter's nose and held off the mob for about 10 more minutes before he was killed. Shughart was buried in Carlilse, Pennsylvania and Gordon in Penobscot County, Maine. MOGADISHU (Reuters) Somali insurgents dragged soldiers bodies through the streets of Mogadishu before burning them on Wednesday in heavy fighting that killed at least 16 people and injured scores more, witnesses said. Shughart left active duty and went into the Army Reserve in June 1980. For the sling, I actually got an older used sling so that it had that worn aesthetic to make the rifle look like its seen some hard use. Gary Gordon and Sgt. The Lincoln Police Department said that while it may have been a case of vandalism, it also could have also been a "work in progress" with gold lettering on the engravings. I will not fail those with whom I serve.. As such, the US Army sent in its Special Forces to protect the humanitarian efforts and prevent the continued rise of the warlords. Shughart returned to the battle alone and was killed shortly after. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. Scan this QR code to download the app now. It was of crew chief Cleveland. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. Like I said earlier, I didnt do anything that wasnt strictly aesthetic. A Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down first, and later that day the Black Hawk helicopter Super Six-Four was shot down. Sergeant First Class Shughart provided precision sniper fires from the lead helicopter during an assault on a building and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires. Despite having inflicted heavy casualties against the Somalis, the two Delta snipers were too outnumbered and outgunned. At Ft. Polks JRTC, the largest town inside of The Box is named Shughart-Gordon. He was awarded the Medal of Honor with Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart for heroic actions he performed during Operation Gothic Serpent (Battle of Mogadishu) in October 1993. Gary Gordon. Shughart-Gordon Urban Operations Training Center ("MOUT Site"), US Army Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon his third request, he and Shughart were inserted, armed with rifles and pistols. While their heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia resulted in their deaths, they efforts allowed for the rescue of a fellow soldier. I only tried to match it in appearance and not performance. I'm hit. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Let me say when it came to my build, I made it match the M14 seen in the film the best I could, rather than what Shugharts rifle would have actually been like. The mission ultimately culminated in what became known as the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Raid: How Delta Force Took Out Notorious Terrorist? Make more money in stocks with 2 months of access to IBD Digital for only $20! On a new IBD podcast, Jon Najarian explains 0DTE options and their unintended impact. The bodies were returned in poor condition, one with a severed head. Traduzioni in contesto per "first to be killed" in inglese-italiano da Reverso Context: Ding's seventeen-year-old son, Jiang Jielian (), was one of the first to be killed when the People's Liberation Army crushed the Tiananmen Square protests. He then drew his pistol and held off the attackers as long as possible, eventually being mortally wounded. They realized that reinforcements would most likely not arrive in time, but fought on against overwhelming odds, exhibiting selfless service and personal courage. They were the first Medal of Honor recipients since the Vietnam War. For their acts, they were awarded the highest military decoration, Medal of Honor, for the first time after the Vietnam War. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. In the movie, which was released in 2001, it looks as if the rifle has a split rail mount. It wasn't a scream or a plea, just a statement of fact, like someone who'd nicked himself with a vegetable knife. When Gordon was eventually killed, Shughart picked up Gordon's weapon and gave it to Durant. Though Delta Force generally chooses its candidates from within the Armymost Delta operators come from the 75th Ranger Regiment or the Special Forcesthe group also selects individuals from other branches of the military, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and even Navy SEALs. If you feel like I left out Gary Gordon, fret not. His teachers thought he was smart, but his grades drifted because he was obsessed doodling "anything and everything military-related," his mother told a reporter. Shughart and Gary Gordon, both Delta Force operators and snipers died in Mogadishu, Somalia in October 1993 after being inserted alone into a crash site for a Blackhawk helicopter which had been shot down while raiding a headquarters of Somali militiamen headed by Mohamed . Gary Gordon is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Penobscot . Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site, armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, and made their way to the downed Blackhawk. Operation Gothic Serpent was a military operation conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia, by an American-led coalition during the Somali Civil War in 1993. Randall Shughart was a US Army Delta Force soldier. In December 1986, Gordon volunteered to join the 1st Special Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), better known as Delta Force. ", The police department said that while it may have been a case of vandalism that it could have also been a "work in progress" with gold lettering on the engravings. [6] Shughart's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Westminster Cemetery, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Who was the real hoot in Black Hawk Down? This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 02:43. With all of the ground forces still trying to help Super Six-One, there was no one left to help at the crash site of Super Six-Four. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. The USNS Gordon is currently operated by the US Navys Military Sealift Command in Washington, D.C. As a Delta Force operator, he advanced to Assistant Team Sergeant. He was not there at night since he was on the convoy that finally returned to base after failing to reach the crash site. The blame for my son's death rests with the White House and with you. You are not fit to command."[13]. The U.S. Army aimed to prevent that, with Gordon's Delta outfit landing in Mogadishu in the summer of 1993. The ship was the first "Large Medium Speed Roll On/Roll Off (LMSR) ship" to undergo conversion from a commercial container vessel to a sealift cargo ship.[14]. The lowest optic mount I could find to give us that look is the ARMS #18 mount. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Overhead, other Army helicopters came under fire from RPGs and had to withdraw. He chose to be a husband and father and never wavered in those roles. When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gungiveaways! [5], There was some confusion in the aftermath of the action as to who had been killed first. In 1996, the US Navy held a ceremony in Newport News, Virginia, during which it named the roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Gordon. Again, out of ammo, he was only able to retrieve one weapon and five rounds, which he gave to Durant and said Good Luck. 5 How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? His rifle was never recovered, so we dont know exactly what his was like although there are people who have done a lot of digging to give us a pretty good idea. "I don't know if someone was trying to clean it or [refresh] it. Bush authorized the dispatch of U.S. troops to Somalia to assist with famine relief as part of the larger United Nations effort. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. After Aidid's forces killed 24 Pakistani soldiers that were part of the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council called for the militia leaders to be arrested or killed. Gordon and Shugart are among the Americans honored on Memorial Day, which remembers those who died serving in the military. Stories can drive us, inspire us, and we retell them for generations. Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. The optic is sitting right on top of the action. First, let's give them their due. The opposition was much larger and better organized then originally thought and the mission began to take a turn for the worse. However, it added that the family "was never notified that this was happening. A CSRT (Combat Search and Rescue team) was dispatched to the first crash site to secure it, and a short time later, another Black Hawk, Super 64 (Super Six Four), was shot down as well. For more information, please see our Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. While he entered into the Army Reserve in 1980, he returned to active duty in December 1983. By this time, more Somali militiamen were arriving intent on either capturing or killing the American servicemen. When they reached Super Six-Four, they extracted Durant and the other crew from the helicopter and defended the aircraft. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Aidid suffered a gunshot wound in the ensuing battle. Russias Alpha Group compared to the Delta Force. Then, a second Black Hawk helicopter, call sign Super Six-Four, was shot down. A California-based mortuary service said it was highly unusual to conduct repairs or work on gravestones without notifying the family: "We don't do it unless the family requests it," the 30-year mortician said to Insider, adding that he did not want to be identified. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. The ceremony was presided over by President Bill Clinton and attended by the families. . When the smoke had cleared, its said that there were 25 dead Somali attackers scattered around the site. Who were the 2 soldiers in Black Hawk Down? We have everything from small-caliber pistols to belt-fed machine guns. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team for Delta Force and were assigned to over watch the operation, engaging targets from the Blackhawk. The only way to rescue survivors was for the Gordon-Shughart-Hallings copter to go in. Anyway, for my build, I did the ARMS #18 mount because it had the appropriate height. The two sergeants were part of a sniper team aboard another Blackhawk, hovering. On October 3, 1993, during an assault mission to apprehend advisors to the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. Michael Durant Below is a excerpt of American Valor's interview with Michael Durant whose life was saved by Medal of Honor recipients Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart. Gordon, 33, was a sniper team leader with the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, otherwise known as "Delta Force.". Gordon (1960-93) was born in Lincoln, Maine, a mill town of 5,000 nestled in the northern forests. The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? The scenario-based is on Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. They could have taken a belt of 7.62 ammo from the door gunner and delinked it. Michael Durant was released after 11 days of captivity. He joined the Army while attending Big Spring High School in Newville, entering upon graduation in 1976. Without a doubt, they saved my life. Gordon and two sergeant first class subordinates, Shughart and Brad Hallings, had been providing fire cover from another helicopter, but they knew this wasn't enough if the crew of the second downed chopper was to be saved. Shughart left active duty and went into the Army Reserve in June 1980. The men wanted to get on the ground, check for survivors and defend the crash of Six-Four. The award read in part: "Master Sergeant Gordon's . Its not high like normal optic mounts for the M14 platform. When his other family needed him, he did not hesitate, as he would not have hesitated for us.". Master Sergeant Gordon then went back to the wreckage, recovering some of the crews weapons and ammunition. Born into a US Air Force family, he joined the Army while in high school. "We've had a lot of people come forward wanting to help. Randall (Randy) David Shughart held the rank of Seargent First Class in the United States Army and served in the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. Or was he Master Sgt. ", Chun said, "One removed the three other severely injured crew members, while the other provided covering fire and then they quickly assessed their situation. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team for Delta Force and were assigned to over watch the operation, engaging targets from the Blackhawk. Instead of being buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his mother, Betty, said he would have "wanted to be brought home here," The New York Times previously reported. as well as other partner offers and accept our. No doubt about it, the rifle in the movie is a full-length M14, similar to the Standard Issue M1A. Sergeant First Class Shughart, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Sniper Team Member, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. On May 23, 1994, Gordon and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration for valor under . After his team member was fatally wounded and his own rifle ammunition exhausted, Master Sergeant Gordon returned to the wreckage, recovering a rifle with the last five rounds of ammunition and gave it to the pilot with the words, good luck. Then, armed only with his pistol, Master Sergeant Gordon continued to fight . To me, it looks like he had thinner stripes on the gun than I usually paint, so I held the can closer to get the paint strip narrower. In 1996 the US Navy named two ships after Shughart and Gordon in honor of their heroic actions. 1st Class Randy Shughart, who gave their lives to save their fellow soldiers during the fierce Battle of Mogadishu, are the focus of the latest graphic novel in the Association of the U.S. Army's series on recipients of the nation's highest award for valor. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? What happened to the pilot in Black Hawk Down? The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. The United Nations tried to aid with the resulting famine, but its food rations were seized by local warlords. Your email address will not be published. The ceremony was attended by a number of officers and politicians including Shughart's commanding officer at the time of his death; John W. Douglass, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; Senator Bob Kerrey; and others. Two are Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart. I purchased an M1A with the sole purpose of creating a clone look-a-like rifle that matched the visual appearance of the M14 from the movie Black Hawk Down that was carried by the actor Johnny Strong as he played the role of Randy Shughart on screen.