Today we remember three of our fallen, all of which laid down their lives in service to the United States Soldiers Creed, despite receiving no support from the Afghan troops also charged with the duty of defending Bari Alai Outpost.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
In the early hours of May 1st, 2009, at a small remote base in Afghanistan called Observation Post Bari Alai, three American soldiers laid down their lives in a fierce firefight, the details of which are not all clear, as they were the only Americans stationed at this outpost, they served along side Afghan troops.
It is suspected, by American troops serving elsewhere in that area, that the Afghan troops may have assisted the Taliban by laying down their weapons and might even have actively assisted the enemy in their plans to overrun the outpost.
On that day, three men Sgt William Vile, Specialist Ryan King, and Sgt James Pirtle fought to the last breath, as more than 100 Taliban fighters launched an all out coordinated uphill attack on Bari Alai.
While Taliban forces pinned down coalition troops with machine gun fire, their comrades scaled the mountain and advanced on the post. Coalition troops killed 19 Taliban fighters.
United States Army Sgt William D. Vile, who was 27 years old, was wounded; he continued to return fire, calling in for reinforcements and artillery support. He at last succumbed to an explosion and died. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day.
The blast from the explosion that took the life of Sgt William Vile breached the perimeter of the post, and the Taliban poured inside. Sgt James D Pirtle, 21 and Specialist Ryan C. King were killed defending the base. They were both awarded the Bronze Star for their actions that day.
After overrunning the base, and killing its three American defenders the Taliban “captured” 11 Afghan soldiers and 1 Afghan interpreter.
These “prisoners” were released just hours after the United States embarked on a mission to recover them. They were released in good condition, “too good actually” according to Marine Lt Col Ted Adams.
The 12 Afghans were questioned for six days before being returned to duty. US officials have declined to comment on their conduct.
Read more about these brave men who gave their all, who fought to the very last breath on this day, May 1st, 2009:
http://themoroccantraveler.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-memory-three-good-men.html
The news report regarding the attack:
Army Staff Sergeant William D. Vile :
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-staff-sgt-william-d-vile/4076254/
“Then during his first tour in Afghanistan, he was watching as a helicopter landed with troops. As soon as it landed, the surrounding hills “lit up with enemy fire,” he told her.
He ran to get his flak vest out of his tent and took a bullet in the arm. He pretty much fought off the medics trying to attend to him.
“I need something to stop the bleeding,” he told them. “I have work to do here.””
Army Specialist Ryan C/ King:
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-ryan-c-king/4073832/
“At a memorial, Spc. Gregory Landgraf read stories of King publishing a newspaper lampooning the soldiers in his unit and a time when King tied his arm behind his back and took on a sergeant during a combative match.”
Army Sergeant James D. Pirtle:
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-james-d-pirtle/4073829/
““He just wanted to be part of something bigger than himself,” said Andrew Thurn, one of his best friends. “He was OK dying if he was serving his country".
