Enemy fire erupted from the steep ridges surrounding them, from the village, and from just a few yards outside their perimeter. Bullets and rockets tore into their positions. They took casualties almost immediately, but the outnumbered paratroopers kept their heads, fired back and executed a well-conceived defensive plan.
At one corner of their patrol base they'd built "Observation Post Topside," a three-level strong point made of sandbags and rocks. Nine soldiers manned the structure, providing overwatch. The Taliban knew it was a key position, and trained heavy fire on it. In minutes, every man inside was hit, and enemy fighters crept to within hand-grenade range, yet the survivors kept returning fire.
"It was some of the bravest stuff I've ever seen," said Specialist Tyler Stafford. "Normal humans wouldn't do that É firing back when everything around you is popping and whizzing and branches coming down and sandbags exploding and RPGs coming in over your head."
The fight for OP Topside became the crux of the battle. Lt. Jonathan Bostrom led the first of three rushes to reinforce it. He gathered up Specialists Pruitt Rainey and Jason Hovater, and ran there to set up a machine gun, but all three were killed by enemy fire. Then four more men, including Sgt. Israel Garcia, saw the critical situation and moved under fire to the OP. There they gave first aid to the injured but were soon wounded themselves, Garcia mortally.
Finally, the third reinforcement succeeded. Sgt. Jesse Queck recounted, "When you ask for volunteers to run across an open field to an OP, and everybody volunteers, it motivates you. É Guys were putting themselves on the line so their buddies could have a chance." When it was all over, nine brave soldiers had died and 27 were wounded, with most casualties occurring in the tenacious defense of OP Topside.
There are many lessons from what's now called the Battle of Wanat. Among them are the nature of our enemies in Afghanistan, and the urgent need for more U.S. troops and a better strategy there. But this week let's remember those 48 American warriors who repulsed a determined, well-planned assault by 200 to 300 enemy fighters.
And let's never forget those who paid the ultimate price to defend their brothers - and our liberty.
1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii.
Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif.
Spc. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga.
Spc. Jason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle.
Spc. Jason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn.
Spc. Matthew B. Phillips, 27, of Jasper, Ga.
Spc. Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, of Haw River, N.C.
Spc. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, Mo.
Spc. Sergio S. Abad, 21, of Morganfield, Ky.
Tad Trueblood has more than 20 years experience in the U.S. Air Force and the national security community.
