The Houston Chronicle tells the tale of Sgt. M. Joshua Ryan Laughery who is about to be awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan which resulted in his entire platoon surviving the withering fire of an ambush which left him in charge when his squad leaders and platoon leader were wounded;
Realizing that his squad and platoon leaders had been incapacitated by injuries, Laughery had another soldier take his place as gunner, started medical evacuation procedures, and reorganized his squad, according to a statement from Fort Polk.
Laughery engaged the insurgents and held them at bay until relief arrived, the statement said. His actions resulted in the survival and rescue of every soldier on his patrol, including five who had been wounded.
The pitched battle lasted about 25 minutes, Laughery said. Twice, he and another soldier, Spc. John Penilton, ran into a pitch-black cellar to root out insurgents hiding there.
“We went down in the hole and engaged these dudes almost at point-blank range,” Laughery said. One of the insurgents charged the Americans with an AK-47. “I could see the whites of his eyes,” Laughery said. Everyone opened fire, lighting up the dark with muzzle flashes.
Laughery still doesn’t know how he and Penilton survived. “It’s magic,” he said.
Laughery is humble about the award;
“It’s not an award that I earned by myself,” Laughery told the Houston Chronicle by telephone from Fort Polk. “My guys helped. It was definitely a group effort. It wasn’t just me. … If I could, I’d split it up and give it to all my guys.”
Of course, he comes from good stock;
“He didn’t do what I told him because I told him no John Wayne stuff,” said his father and Vietnam veteran Christopher Laughery.”When he explained it, I was just amazed that he didn’t get hurt and that the other guy didn’t get hurt.”
Nice story….kinda makes Obama’s recent boasts look a bit cheap and shallow. But, that’s what ass-wipes do.
Sounds more deserving of a higher honor than a silver star, IMO.
Well done, soldier!
the general public doesn’t know that MOST of our troops today are of this quality. I had the honor to work with many of them.
Go Army! Well done Sgt. Laughery!
Agreed – well done, Sergeant. Well done.
How is this not at least a DSC?
May we all hope that if we were ever put in the same position as this NCO, that we would have done the same.
THIS is why NCO’s are called the backbone of the armed forces. Young Sgt, Ooorah!
Not gonna hear this story from the major news outlets today. Nope, its all “Occupy” all day long.
#9 B22-
Change that to “Occutard” and you’ll closer to the truth.
“said his father and Vietnam veteran Christopher Laughery.”
At least the “press” printed one pertinent fact —
that his father was a Vietnam WAR veteran .
In no way do I mean to denigrate or minimize SGT Laughrey’s accomplishments. A Silver Star is a pretty damn impressive award. I’m just happy that that his unit wasn’t overrun or the brave Sgt.. wasn’t severely hurt or killed as he distinguished himself with his bravery and tactical competence. All too often these big three are awarded posthumously and I’m sure that all concerned would gladly accept a possible downgrade to have their hero home safely.
Very well done, SGT Laughrey!
#2 & #7 I agree. I’m thinking at least the DSC.
Concerning my comment, No. 11 above :
I may have committed an error —
and I may have given more credit than due the “press,”
who does NOT make clear, whether the father is
a Vietnam WAR Veteran, or,
a Vietnam War ERA Veteran .
Hell, the Official Gov’t terms and phrases are, I think,
DELIBERATELY CONFUSED ON THE SUJECT OF THE VIETNAM WAR .
“suBject”
Dr Brett – among those of us who served back in the dark ages of the 60’s and 70’s, the terminolgy is pretty simple: a Viet Nam vet is one who served in country. The rest of us are Viet Nam era vets.
Can only speak for myself here, but I really don’t give a rip if or what the gubmint has to say about it.
The word “War” must be inserted, at the least.
Not really looking to get into a long, convoluted discussion about this – just trying to explain it to you. How’s about we just leave it that you do whatever you want to there, Dr Brett and we will do what we always have.
John David Penilton is my son and love him very much. I have read your comment over and over. I am so happy to know both of you survived. Thank you!
Mr. Penilton, your son did his duty as a soldier and as a man. You should be very, very proud. He is a credit to his family and to the US Army. Ooorah young Specialist!