This Week at War: ‘Fierce’ Fighting
The Stream's weekly look at the ongoing sacrifices of U.S. troops and military families around the world.
A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies near Afghanistan's Uruzgan Province on May 1, 2017.
Afghanistan
America’s longest war has claimed the lives of two more U.S. military heroes.
On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed the June 25 deaths of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Micheal Riley, 32, and Sgt. James Johnston, 24. The soldiers, who were serving with a Special Forces unit, were killed during a “fierce firefight” in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families & comrades of Master Sgt. Micheal B. Riley, 10th Special Forces Group, & Sgt. James G. Johnston, 79th Ordnance Battalion, who lost their lives in Afghanistan. Their selfless sacrifice will be remembered & honored by the entire DOD pic.twitter.com/nYN19xfYah
— U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) June 28, 2019
According to a defense official quoted by The New York Times, fighting was heavy “with combatants only yards apart at one point.”
The Army’s Special Operations Command issued a statement about the passing of Sgt. Riley, who was on his sixth combat deployment.
“Mike was an experienced Special Forces noncommissioned officer and the veteran of five previous deployments to Afghanistan,” Col. Lawrence Ferguson said. “We will honor his service and sacrifice as we remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Afghanistan just before the American casualties were announced, also weighed in on the tragic news.
“I’m praying for them, for their families, and for all the soldiers that were around them,” said Pompeo, as quoted by The Associated Press.
The Stream asks you to join us in praying for the loved ones and fellow soldiers of these fallen American heroes. Sgts. Riley and Johnston were willing to sacrifice everything to defend the defenseless. We will never forget these selfless patriots and America’s newest Gold Star families.
Iraq
Another U.S. Army soldier who fought valiantly during one of the Iraq war’s most harrowing battles was recognized with the nation’s highest military honor this week at the White House.
Retired Staff Sgt. David Bellavia is the first living Iraq war veteran to receive the Medal of Honor. He is credited with saving the lives of numerous fellow American service members trapped inside a house during the Battle of Fallujah in 2004.
Happening Now: @POTUS will present Staff Sgt. David Bellavia, @FightingFirst, with the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions taken, November 2004, during #OIF, during a ceremony at the @WhiteHouse.#ServeWithHonor #MOH https://t.co/StpfIU8IH9
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) June 25, 2019
“He provided suppressive fire while his men evacuated, rescuing his entire squad at the risk of his own life,” President Trump said during Tuesday’s Medal of Honor ceremony. “Only when his men were all out did David exit the building.”
We thank this Iraq war veteran for his courageous service to our nation and congratulate him on the well-deserved Medal of Honor. America and the world are a better place because of warriors like retired Staff Sgt. David Bellavia.
Coming Home
After nine months serving near South Korea’s still volatile border with North Korea, U.S. Army soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment have returned to Fort Bliss.
A U.S. Army soldier reunites with his loved one during a homecoming ceremony held on June 7, 2019, at Fort Bliss in Texas.
Welcome home, heroes!
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.
