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August 03, 2007
Beauchamp Officially Lying Sack of $hit
From Matt Sanchez:
Beachamp Investigation ConcludedAfter a thorough investigation that lasted nearly a week the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division has concluded that the allegation made by Private Thomas Scott Beauchamp, the "Baghdad Diarist", have been "refuted by members of his platoon and proven to be false"
But then again, you knew that already.
So enough about that jerk. More worth your time is to find out about about The Real FOB Falcon, where Matt arrived just a few days ago. A place where:
The atmosphere is amicable, and despite the big-screen television sets rotating the news from all the major outlets, most soldiers barely look up to watch the smaller than life images of an Iraq they know more intimately.
And a place where, you know, real soldiers are doing their real jobs each and every day. Like this guy.
Philippus received an Army Commendation Medal with Valor July 20 for his actions in southern Baghdad’s Rashid District April 9.Philippus and his platoon were on a presence patrol like any other that day. They had never even seen combat, in fact. When the platoon took fire, Philippus was in one mindset: to take action.
“We’d been training for this for a while,” he said. “Until that point it was boredom; we were just driving around in a city that I didn’t know.”
When word reached Philippus’ truck that their dismounts had been trapped by enemy gunfire, he told his driver to drive through a fence into the fight.
After positively identifying the enemy, Philippus returned fire. On his second box of ammunition, an enemy round struck his helmet, sending him flying against the glass in his turret and down into the humvee.
“I don’t know if I thought I was dead or what, but I was scared,” he said. “There were guys on the ground and they were still under heavy contact so I stood back up and kept firing.”
Sgt. 1st Class Troy Murray, Philippus’ platoon sergeant from Augusta, Ga., said his Soldier’s reaction was uncommon and awe-inspiring.
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“I thought he was gone. I saw him go down, about a minute-and-a-half later he was back on the gun,” he said. “That made me proud. A lot of guys wouldn’t have gotten back up there.”For Philippus, his reason to get back in the fight was a simple yet profound one: his fellow Soldiers still taking fire.
“When you’re out there, it’s either you, your friends, or the bad guy. I’m not gonna let one of my brothers go down because I’m scared,” he said. “So I stood back up.”
As for the recognition he’s received for his actions that day, Philippus is appreciative, but keeps it in perspective.
“It means a lot, but I’ve had some really good friends die here,” he said. “In all honesty, I did my job-they gave everything.”
The friends he has lost in Iraq have motivated him to continue his mission, Philippus said.
“It’s people like that, that give their life for their country that make it worthwhile. It gives you a reason to fight. If they gave their lives and we just give up then it’s all in vain. Then my friends, my best friends, died for nothing.”
- By Pfc. Nathaniel Smith, 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Posted by MaryAnn at August 3, 2007 10:38 AM
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Comments
I remember when the "Fritz" helmet was phased in, and how a lot of people who knew zip about the military said we shouldn't issue them because they looked "Nazi" even though they were light years ahead of the old World War II steel pot we were wearing at the time. Sounds like a good thing this fellow had his on his noggin.
Posted by: The Hermit at August 3, 2007 10:54 AM
First off, I hate what Beauchamp has written, for the reasons if why and what. His actions have smeared the whole of the military by painting them with a broad brush. His words were was further used by TNR as a tool for their own agenda I sincerely hope that he gets his due.
That being said, I have a question.The refereed article says
"...has concluded that the allegation made by..."
Which allegation was determined to be false? I know of 4 or 5 horrendous ones. What of the others? The burned soldier reference seems to have been in Kuwait instead of the FOB. Is that what rendered it false? Don't get me wrong, I want him to be held accountable for his words/actions. If he did these things he should be held to account, if he lied he should as well.
I am interested in truth. I hate parsing of words. The notation in the column above would lead a casual reader to believe that all of his allegations have been proven false. We are led to believe they never happened, and that Beauchamp is a complete liar. But in truth, it only says one is false.
Just a thought.
Posted by: Artista at August 3, 2007 11:19 AM
My bad if indeed all have been proven false. In fact, I hope for that case. I just read the "plural/singular issue" post at Matt Sanchez' and it makes sense. Can this be clarified?
Posted by: Artista at August 3, 2007 11:54 AM
Looks like a typo, Artista. I'm working on getting a clarification.
Posted by: MaryAnn at August 3, 2007 12:30 PM