Gary Ivan Gordon

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MSG Gary Gordon

Gary Gordon (* the 30th August 1960 in Lincoln , Maine , † 3. October 1993 in Mogadishu ) was a US -American Master Sergeant of the US Army and served most recently in the Delta Force . He was killed in Somalia in 1993 during the Battle of Mogadishu . He is one of the few US soldiers who have received the highest award, the Medal of Honor , since the end of the Vietnam War .

Life and career

Gordon, who was used as a sniper in the Battle of Mogadishu , died when he and his comrade Randy Shughart tried to rescue the injured pilot Michael J. Durant at the crash site of an MH-60 "Black Hawk" . Gordon and Shughart asked for this assignment several times, although no further assistance was expected. Eventually, both of them, armed with a sniper rifle and a pistol, were dropped near the crashed helicopter. They brought the wounded pilot out of the wreck and holed up in this position. After their ammunition ran out, a large group of Somalis overran the crash site, killing Shughart and Gordon, and desecrating their bodies. The images of their naked bodies being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu by cars caused an uproar among the American public and led directly to the termination of American engagement in Somalia . After the events, there was heated debate among journalists as to whether such images could be expected of the American public. Many broadcasters decided not to show the recordings.

Gordon left behind his wife and daughter and son.

Honors

Bill Clinton presents the Medal of Honor to Gary Gordon's widow

Gary Ivan Gordon and his comrade Randy Shughart were the first two soldiers to receive the highest American award, the Medal of Honor , for service after the end of the Vietnam War. The award was given posthumously for his “extraordinary heroism and fulfillment of duty”. The use of both soldiers saved the life of the pilot Michael Durant. The following quote from Durant has since been distributed on various websites dedicated to both soldiers:

"Without a doubt, I owe my life to these two men and their bravery."

"Without a doubt, I owe my life to these two men and their bravery."

In 1996 the roll-on / roll-off ship USNS Gordon (T-AKR 296) was named after him.

USNS Gordon, named after Gary Gordon

Further awards

Selection of decorations, sorted based on the Order of Precedence of Military Awards :

Public effect

The circumstances of his death were portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down . Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau took on the role of MSG Gordon . The film is based on the report of the same name by the journalist Mark Bowden .

In 2002 Gordon's name hit the headlines again when a GPS device labeled G. Gordon was found in Afghanistan . The US Department of Defense then publicly speculated about possible entanglements between the Al-Qaeda terrorist network and the rebel militias in Somalia. However, the statements quickly proved to be unfounded and the American military had to admit that this device came from a pilot deployed on site.

Web links

Commons : Gary Ivan Gordon  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ GORDON, GARY I. on the website of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society , English
  2. ↑ Andrew J. DeKever: Here Rests in Honored Glory . Merriam Press, 2008, ISBN 978-1435717503 , page 331
personal data
SURNAME Gordon, Gary Ivan
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American soldier
DATE OF BIRTH August 30, 1960
PLACE OF BIRTH Lincoln , Maine
DATE OF DEATH 3rd October 1993
Place of death Mogadishu