Posterazzi PSTZAB100324M Squad of U.S. Marines in Action in Ruined Building Photo Print, 11 x 17, Multi
A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT In November 2004, I was a 19-year-old lance corporal assigned to 1st Batallion, 8th Marine Regiment, when my platoon of Marines was ordered to fight house-to-house during Operation Phantom Fury, the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War. We didn’t just destroy the enemy, we thrived at it. And many of us grew to enjoy it. Yet we obliterated parts of ourselves along the way. Twenty years later, The War Horse organized a five-day reunion in Washington, D.C., that brought my platoon back together for the first time. We cried. We laughed. And we remembered. The most healing part of our time together was our conversations inside the new Fallujah exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. They became the focus of a yearlong multimedia reporting project, published in partnership with Mother Jones and The American Veterans Center, to share not only the firsthand accounts of my platoon but also the experiences of thousands of service members ordered to fight the Global War on Terrorism. This is our story. – Thomas Brennan READ READ By Thomas J. Brennan WATCH LISTEN Marine Corps Leaders Discuss Planning Second Battle of Fallujah Marines Recall Bombarding Fallujah With White Phosphorous Alpha Company Describes Their Assault On Fallujah Third Platoon Recounts Fierce House-To-House Urban Combat The Platoon Describes the Day All Three Squad Leaders Were Wounded “Dead Before He Hit The Ground”—Remembering A Marine Killed In Action Third Platoon Describes Meeting Bradley Faircloth’s Mother A Platoon Reflects on the Psychological Toll of War Carlton served as the senior enlisted Marine during Operation Phantom Fury. He advised the commanding general of Operation Phantom Fury for the duration of his deployment. In 2011, Carlton retired from the Marine Corps after 36 years of service. During that time, he was selected to serve as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, the highest enlisted rank. Carlton lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, with his wife, Liz. Thomas enlisted in Boston and was 19 when he deployed to Iraq. Before Lt. Malcom was killed in Fallujah, Thomas served as his driver. During the battle, Brennan used rockets and explosives with his team leader Michael Briscoe to breach and destroy buildings in Fallujah. Thomas now works as a journalist and lives in the Shenandoah River Valley of Virginia with his wife and daughter. Trevor was 20 when he fought alongside Alpha Company and photographed weeks of intense combat inside of Fallujah. Following the battle, the Marine Corps lost nearly all of Gift’s photographs, which precluded them from being indexed by the National Archives. Daniel enlisted in the Corps from Louisiana when he was 21, and he specialized in rockets and demolitions. During the deployment, Daniel was often seen reading and playing chess. He is regarded by fellow Marines for his integrity and loyalty. Doug is now a lieutenant colonel who has served on active duty for more than 20 years. READ Capt. Aaron Cunningham — Company Commander, Alpha Co. Cpl. Mike Ergo — Team Leader, Third Platoon, Alpha Co. Cpl. Robert Day — Machine Gunner, Alpha Co. The Daily Show: The War Horse’s Thomas Brennan discusses Fallujah with Jon Stewart WBUR On Point: Interview with Thomas Brennan, Reinaldo Aponte and Kathleen Faircloth PBS News Hour: 20 years after the battle for Fallujah, U.S. Marines reflect on the brutal fight Mother Jones: My Platoon’s Fight to Survive—and Heal From—the Bloodiest Battle of the Iraq War The Fallujah Files has been met with an overwhelming response from service members, veterans and the public. As one reader not affiliated with the military wrote: Reporters Thomas J. Brennan Anne Marshall-Chalmers Sonner Kehrt Images Matt Eich Justin Gellerson Cpl. Trevor Gift Madison Brennan Video TJ Cooney Sunjae Smith Shane Yeager Claude Robinson John Napolitano Tim Holbert (AVC) Greg Corombos (AVC) Dan Taksas (AVC) Peter Trahan (AVC) Vallen King (AVC) Rich McFadden (AVC) Nick Schifrin (PBS Newshour) Paul Wood (BBC Embedded Footage) Robbie Wright (BBC Embedded Footage) Audio Elena Boffetta Jim O’Grady (Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting) Engagement Hrisanthi Kroi Pickett Project Design Lydia Williams Keller (Soundview Creative) Fact Check Jess Rohan Copy Edits Mitchell Hansen-Dewar Editors Mike Frankel Dan Schulman (Mother Jones) Partners Mother Jones PBS NewsHour The Center for Investigative Reporting The American Veterans Center Location Support Lt. Col. Matthew Hilton, USMC Communications Directorate, New York Col. John Caldwell, Communications Directorate, Headquarters USMC The National Museum of the Marine Corps Office of the Secretary of Defense The United States Marine Corps Mental Health Dr. Pamela Wall Jodi Salamino Legal Review BakerHostetler James Chadwick (Mother Jones) Special Thanks The Marines, Corpsmen, and Gold Star Families of Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 8th Marines Monika Bauerlein Elena Boffetta Madison Brennan Rob Bracknell Beth Cooling Jim Dao Gail DeBose Georgescu Gen. Joe Dunford David Dunlap Brenner Fissell Erica Goode Keil Gentry Capt. Kayla Haas Michael Haft Jean Hislop Sec. John Kelly Lisa Killeen Sgt. Major Carlton Kent Mr. Luke Maj. Gen. James Lukeman Sec. James Mattis Lt. Gen. Richard Natonski Finbarr O’Reilly Dr. Frank Ochberg Susan Rocco Robert Rosenthal Sgt. Major Carlos A. Ruiz Jodi Salamino Dr. Rebecca Smullen Gen. Gary Thomas Rachel VanLandingham Frank Van Sanford Dr. Pamela Wall LISTEN PBS NewsHour Broadcast Embed BBC Original Footage of Third Platoon in Fallujah Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 82-1669255. Are you looking to search for military records? The National Archives offers a database of veterans that individuals may search for free, on most occasions. The free military records search is helpful for confirming service along with other documentation. For example, the service also assists veterans with retrieving benefits, employment, medical, and retirement information. Learn how to do a military service records search for free, below. Related Article – 6 Free Ways To Check If Someone Was In The Military / Verify Service Are you looking to complete a military service records search for free? If so, the National Archives is your best bet. The Veterans Services Records database grants free searches to retrieve most data. As a result, the military records search may locate information such as: Furthermore, the National Archives database gives the option to make Burials and Emergency Requests, along with Natural Disaster Requests. Additionally, the service is often used by military dependents and others for special requests, like applying for home loans. You can learn more about what they do in this informative Youtube video below: The free military records search also confirms the service of veterans , for those curious. In general, the best way to submit a new military records search is online. However, the National Archives also accepts requests via mail or fax. Also, it’s worth noting that the Veterans Service Records department does not display recent military service and medical records online. Nonetheless, most veterans (as well as next of kin ) may obtain free copies of DD Form 214 and other military records through the online portal. The National Archives asks that individuals making requests remain patient while inquiries are being processed. Still, if you would like to check on the status of a request, feel free to contact the NPRC customer service. The customer service line is available Monday – Friday (8am – 6pm EST) at 314-801-0800. Now, here are step-by-step instructions for submitting a military records search online: Do you need to complete a military records search? First, check with the National Archives to discover what they have on the veteran. Veterans Service Records search obtains the following information: In general, DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) is available for free online. However, some documents may come with a small fee. Thus, to begin a free military records search , click on “Start Request Online”: Then, “Make a New Request”: Individuals also have the option of checking on an existing military records search, here, as well. Finally, the Privacy Act of 1974 is available for review along with other applicable legal documents. The National Archives free military records search is divided into 5 different sections. On average, a typical search takes less than 5 minutes to complete with the proper documentation. The Veterans Service Records request is separated into the following categories: First, you’ll need to provide some basic information. The military records search needs to know if you are the veteran making the request or next of kin. Secondly, you need to specify if you are seeking information about current or former military service: Veterans that were discharged, retired, or perished in service 62 years or more ago are deemed “archival records”. Consequently, these types of military records are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The National Archives makes this information free and open to the public. It’s because the Privacy Act of 1974 does not apply to veterans under the status of archival records. For this reason, those seeking military records regarding a veteran that was in service 60+ years ago must pay a small fee. The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is delivered electronically (or via standard mail) after payment is made on the website. Next, you need to report service and request details. In other words, the military records search needs the service branch, service component, and type of enlistment: The information helps narrow down the search to appropriate candidates. Thus, this is the most important information you need about a veteran if you are next of kin. Finally, determine which category best summarizes why you’re requesting the military records: There are many reasons why you may want to conduct a National Archives search. There are a few different items the search needs for a report of separation: First, basic details such as name, social security number, date of birth, and service number are required. It also helps to know the date the veteran first entered as well as left service. Next, specify the documents requested. For example, what type of report of separation are you requesting? The National Archives provides most DD Form 214 free of charge. Be that as it may, you must determine whether you want to include all details of the report, or a deleted/altered copy. You may also leave comments for the department, including additional documents you wish to obtain. Lastly, you must provide a few basic details about yourself. These include first and last name, mailing address, and email address. It’s crucial that you provide a valid email address in order to process the request correctly. The email address allows you to communicate directly with the National Archives, as well as receive results faster. Finally, review and submit the military records search. The online service provides a breakdown of all the information you entered into the request. However, before you enter submit, make sure you review for any typos or inaccuracies. These mistakes may delay how quickly your military records search is processed. For this reason, take the time to review the application to make sure everything is correct. Do you notice an error? The request process enables users to retreat to a particular step in order to edit the information. Before you exit the webpage, make sure that you electronically sign the military records request. You may also want to save a copy for your own records. Then, click on “Submit Request”. Congratulations, by now, you should receive a confirmation. The confirmation page ensures that your military records search was processed. Now, it just takes time for the National Archives to review before getting back with a response. Thus, make sure you document that service request number for future inquiries. The National Archives asks that veterans monitor their spam and junk folders for emails from @nara.gov . Furthermore, you may check the status of an existing request by revisiting the Veterans Service Records homepage (see: Step 1: Start Military Records Search Online). Related Article – 5 Ways To Find A Marine By Name Do you have questions regarding the National Archives veterans / military records search? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers: The military veteran or retiree. Furthermore, military service records are available to the next of kin of: The department accepts next of kin as a surviving spouse (who has not remarried), father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother. These qualifying next of kin are eligible to receive military records, including Form DD 214. Meanwhile, public access to military records varies depending on the date of discharge. For example, any records of service members that are 62 years or more are considered “archival records.” Therefore, a small cost is associated with retrieving military records. Otherwise, the service is mostly free of charge. Yes, absolutely, in most cases. However, there is a cost associated with military records requests that date back further than 62 years. Otherwise, in general, there is no charge for obtaining basic military records such as DD 214 and medical information. Fortunately, this service is available for free thanks to the National Archives and Records Administration. You can save time completing a military records search by having as much information about the veteran as possible. For starters, you need the full name of a veteran (first, middle, and last name). Secondly, the social security number and birth date are extremely helpful. Third, any relevant to military service such as military branch, service number, and dates of service are resourceful. Those that are next of kin of a deceased veteran must also provide proof of death. Lastly, all requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin before being processed. Yes, it’s very simple to do so. You will need to enter the service request number in order to process the update. Do not know the service request number? You can make a request to retrieve that information with the National Archives. Additionally, the National Archives customer service is available Monday through Friday. Response times vary from the government branch depending on the complexity of your request. Please keep in mind that the National Archives receives thousands of military service requests each day. Therefore, it does you no good submitting multiple requests or harassing the department with frequent phone calls. It depends on the situation. Military records are open to the public 62 years after separation. Meanwhile, any military separation before that date is protected by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Therefore, those military records are only available to next of kin or subjected to access restrictions. However, certain military documents (like DD 214) may be available to the general public. Related Article – DD215 Form: 5 Things You Need To Know Do you need to search military service records? The National Archives features the best database, primarily because it’s accurate and free (in most situations). The database is able to retrieve service information, including official military personnel file (OMPF) and separation documents (such as DD 214). Meanwhile, veterans may also track down medical/health records, retirement records, and other special requests. The National Archives also provides this service for burial/emergency requests as well as replacement medals. Furthermore, it’s a way to examine military records to make sure they contain accurate information regarding your time in service. As a result, the National Archives Veterans Service Records resource is the best way to search for free. Featured Image Source – www.Wikimedia.org Commemoration address for the Combined Action Platoon memorial at Marine Corps Museum We who fought in the villages six decades ago have gathered here to dedicate this memorial to our fallen brothers. We thank LtGen Ron Christmas and MajGen Jim Lukeman for honoring their sacrifice. Historians remark upon the sheer audacity of the Combined Action Platoon (CAP). In the midst of a war with millions of combatants, twelve-man squads led by sergeants lived and died in villages amongst thousands of Vietnamese. Their mission: drive out the enemy, protect the villagers and train the farmers to defend themselves.1 In theory, those tiny squads, vastly outnumbered and isolated, should have been wiped out. In fact, they succeeded. Of the 209 villages protected by CAPs, not one reverted to enemy control.2 The CAP stands unique in America’s wars, never duplicated before or since. From 1966 through 1970, across hundreds of hamlets every mosquito-filled night, patrols of about five Marines and five farmers sneaked through the bush, with no night vision or on-call fires. To survive, they relied on stealth, laying down grazing fire, pitching grenades, and pulling back when incoming fire was too intense. Firefights were sudden and short, green and red tracers zipping past like dancing Christmas lights. Afterward, no one ventured into the kill zones. Only the next day might they hear from the villagers about enemy bodies carried off. No CAP ever relaxed. The peril of each night focused every Marine. During the day, CAP grunts ambled through the hamlets, eating duck eggs and bananas and peanuts, laughing and bartering with the villagers, respected but not feared. The ‘nghia quans’ (the farmers called PFs, or Popular Forces) patrolled and lived side by side with the Marines. Spending month after month inside the same few kilometers, the Marines and villagers came to know one another as human beings, with individual quirks. Six of the CAP Marines in this 1966 photo were killed in the besieged village of Binh Nghia. The village chief wrote a letter to the parents of Sergeant White, the CAP leader. Here is a direct quote: To Sgt. J.D. White Family … My name is trao, second village chief working with Sgt. White and Sq. Our people thank him very much, because he is very good man. Every day he is few to sleep he works too much … My people are poor and when they see a marine they very happy. When V.C. come to people, people come to talk to Sgt. Whte so Sgt. White can talk to P.F. and marine to fight V.C. Maybe die … I’ll say a Happy New Year to you. Jod bless you all …. Your friend always, Ho Yan Trao.3 The cost was high. Of the 450,000 Marines who served in Vietnam, three percent were fatalities,4 rising to six percent among the combat battalions. In the CAPs, the fatality rate was above ten percent. The reason was that on average a CAP conducted a thousand patrols in a year. There was no embedded chain of command to ensure these patrols went out, no gunny, no first sergeant, no company commander. Instead, there was peer pressure. There were no nights off. In every CAP, sooner or later death called. Over five years, 540 CAP Marines were killed, while accounting for 4,900 enemy killed by rifle fire and grenades, with almost no employment of supporting arms.5 You don’t call in fire on the village where you live. Inflicting casualties on the enemy was only a means; the end objective was providing security and training the nghia quans (PFs). The CAPs weren’t interlinked; they were scattered across several thousand kilometers. Each CAP staked out five to seven square kilometers of paddies, shrubs and hooches, then fought to protect it. The ultimate test of the program came when the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) launched the 1968 TET offensive. In the Marine area in northern I Corps, tens of thousands of NVA left the mountains to assault the cities. To get there, they had to pass through the hamlets guarded by CAP patrols.