Remembering the men of TASK FORCE RANGER

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2003-10-03 12:44am

Ten years ago today on October 3, 1993 the men of Task Force Ranger launched their famuos mission know to many as Black Hawk Down. Their mission was to capture two Tier One personalities. At 3:30 PM DELTA assulted the target house and captured key members of the Habr Gidr Clan. During the mission two Black Hawks crashed in the city. The Rangers and DELTA were sent to secure the first crash site. At the second crash site, DELTA snipers MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart requested and were sent in to protect the men of Super Six Four. 19 men of Task Force Ranger lost their lives. Over a thousand Somalis were either killed or wounded.

This is a list of all the men who died from Task Force Ranger.

CW3 Donovan Briley
SSG Daniel Busch
CPL James Cavaco
SSG William Cleveland
SSG Thomas Field
SFC Earl Fillmore
CW4 Raymond Frank
MSG Gary Gordon
SGT Cornell Houston
SGT James Joyce
PFC Richard Kowalewski
PFC James Martin
MSG Timothy Martin
SPC Dominick Pilla
SFC Matthew Rierson
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz
SFC Randy Shughart
CPL James Smith
CW4 Clifton Wolcott

here is a poem to those who died

When the roll was called that morning,
We listened for their names;
We paused in solemn silence,
For each it was the same.

None answered to the roll call,
Each one had passed away;
We felt the pain and the anguish,
On that sad and mournful day.

Each of us who knew them,
Knew it was not their last fight;
For God will take them home,
With him, they'll make their last flight.

Only those who fought with them,
On their final day;
Know what heroes they really were,
Yes heroes, we all will say.

For each of them was more concerned,
With the welfare of others;
This selfless love they possessed,
Makes us a band of brothers.

There was no hesitation,
With bullets round them flying;
They came to help their buddies,
For they knew others were dying.

Yes these men were heroes,
What each Warrior wants to be;
But these were special ones,
For they were Night Stalkers, you see.

So when their story is told,
Everyone will then admit;
It's more than just a motto;
"Night Stalkers Don't Quit!"

Col. Jerry Boykin
Mogadishu, Somalia
In honor of fallen Night Stalkers
3 Oct 93

I appoligize to everyone for not having a complete list all US and UN soldiers who died.

I salute all those who died at that fateful battle and all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to their country.

Here is a permanent memorial. Please sign the guestbook.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2003-10-03 10:47am

I am just trying to keep this near the top so people will see.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-10-03 10:52am

Dammit, what was the name of the guy who you see in the film go back into the warzone despite only just getting out?

That is a true hero, my friend.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2003-10-03 11:26am

that in the film was Hoot. In real life that person was Macejunas a DELTA soldier

Chardok · Post by **Chardok** » 2003-10-03 11:28am

May they rest in peace.

Post by **AdmiralKanos** » 2003-10-03 11:36am

Those guys possessed a courage that I honestly don't think I have.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-10-03 12:01pm

I couldn't do that. Especially those two Delta guys who went into the Super 64 crash site knowing they were dead, and went anyway. I couldn't do that.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2003-10-03 12:08pm

They didn't go into a suicide mission. They beleived that with the proper air support they could hold off the mob until rescue forces could get to them.

AniThyng · Post by **AniThyng** » 2003-10-03 01:04pm

well to be honest i can't recall the *name* of the Malaysian UN soldier who was killed, and the national newspapers' archives are subscription only, and the Army website seems to have been revamped for just lookin gpretty, and it's been a while since the movie came out and reminded people what happened there, so,,,

at least you know where he came from.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-10-03 01:17pm

Those men showed what true bravery is. May they rest in peace.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-10-03 02:06pm

10 years, where does the time go?

I was in college and pretty busy. I did not realize the scope of the fire fight until years later when I read excepts of the of the book on the website for I think the Philedelphia Examiner. Anyway, when the book came out I grabbed a copy right away and was riveted by the story.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2003-10-03 02:54pm

Let us not forget Mike (??) Durant. Taken as a POW, dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, and beaten nearly to death.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2003-10-03 04:09pm

yes Mike Durant was captured and held for 11 days before being released.