Ambush of the 507th

Many people are familiar with the story of PFC Jessica Lynch, the female POW that was rescued by US Special Forces units in Iraq shortly after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lynch's convoy from the 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in the town of Nasiriyah. Eleven members of the unit were killed; six were taken as POWs (including Lynch) and released later.

In this diorama, up front and center is Specialist Patrick Miller, who was later credited with engaging and killing the most enemy combatants. Around him are SPC Edgar Hernandez, SPC Joseph Hudson, SGT James Riley and SPC Shoshana Johnson.

Miller was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery. PFC Lynch had an biography published named I Am a Soldier Too, and SPC Shoshana Johnson also had a book published called I'm Still Standing: From Captive US Soldier to Free Citizen - My Journey Home. Johnson had been shot in the foot and ankles during the fire fight.

From www.Wikipedia.org

The following soldiers of the 507th were killed in action (KIA):

• Specialist Jamaal R. Addison, 22, Roswell, Georgia
• Master Sergeant Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland, Ohio, who was the Company First Sergeant.
• Private Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso, Texas.
• Private First Class Howard Johnson II, 21, of Mobile, Alabama. He was the first casualty from Alabama during Operation Iraqi Freedom. A graduate of LeFlore High School in Mobile, Alabama, Johnson enlisted two weeks after graduating from high school and according to a CNN Newsnight desired a career in the Army hoping that someday he would rise to the rank of Sergeant Major. [1] Johnson was the son of Rev. Howard Johnson, pastor of Truevine Baptist Church. His funeral service was held on 5 April 2003, at Truevine Baptist Church and buried in Gethsemane Cemetery, Mobile, AL. Among the politicians present were Gov. Bob Riley, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, and Mayor Mike Dow. U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, served as the funeral's master of ceremonies. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. [2]
• Specialist James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas
• Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of Pecos, Texas.
• Private First Class Lori Piestewa, 29, of Tuba City, Arizona, The first Native American woman in history to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military. She was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Prisoner of War Medal.
• Private Brandon Sloan, 19, of Bedford Heights, Ohio.
• Sergeant Donald Walters, 33, of Kansas City, Missouri. He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star (upgraded from a Bronze Star) for gallantry with marked distinction, and a Purple Heart.

The following were assigned to the 3rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Fort Stewart, Georgia and had fallen back in the march column to assist the 507th in vehicle recovery:

• Specialist Edward J. Anguiano, 24, of Brownsville, Texas.
• Sergeant George Edward Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, South Carolina.

Our War 1:18 Modern Troops

Another accidental find as I was searching for 1:18 military figures on ebaY. This set comes from a new, small company Tieka Toys in China, and features US Army figures from the 101st Airborne. Their uniform and equipment comes from present day conflicts, including the digital camouflage. There are typos (assistant is misspelled) on the packaging. Also, on the back (need photo) there is a shadow figure listed as an enemy combatant. Once again, will never see the light day for obvious reasons.

America's Army Real Heroes

A few years back, a first series of action figures was released based on real military heroes coming from Afghanistan and Iraq. The first set of four was released. A second set was planned but never released. Can't even find these on ebaY.

Revenge of the Jedi

Years after buying a MicroCollection Death Star, I opened it up and took a look. Inside was a nice surprise...an actual flyer for the release of Revenge of the Jedi....prior to it being changed to Return of the Jedi.

Gears of War - Anya Stroud

Was happy to see NECA finally release Anya Stroud as a Gears of War figure. In this diorama, she does her due diligence with a Lancer and increases the body count.

Seriously?

Rick Grimes thought he had it rough with normal people turning into zombies. Now the DC heroes and villains from Blackest Night jump into the fray.

Walking Dead Part 2

Just a few more set ups from the McFarlane Walking Dead collection.

It's only Mr. Smith from the Old Amusement Park

For those of you that grew up watching Scooby Doo cartoons, you know the episode always ended up with the Mystery Gang pulling the mask off the monster/ghost/zombie and revealing the real person behind the "mystery." Unfortunately in this case, as Velma is ready to "peel off" the mask, the Mystery gang is in for a rude surprise.

McFarlane Walking Dead Diorama

I came late to the Walking Dead party. Once I saw the first season on DVD, I bought the hardcover compilations of all comic books. Intense! Awesome! And I've never, ever been a fan of zombie movies at all. McFarlane just launched two series. One features characters from the comic book. The other from the TV show on AMC. Looking forward to more.