2007 CDROM Archives Ambush of the 507th Maintenance Company

Most people may remember the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch in the early days of the Iraq War. While she was saved by a daring raid, other members of her platoon were released from captivity a few days later. Nine members of her platoon were killed when they were ambushed after making a wrong turn, headed straight for an enemy held town. The soldiers in the convoy were part of the 507th Maintenance Company, so most were support personnel such as mechanics, cooks and drivers.

One of the heroes of the battle that led to Lynch's capture was Specialist Patrick Miller who held off several enemy combatants by himself before the group had to surrender.

An NBC Movie event was filmed about the Battle of Nasiriyah: Saving Jessica Lynch - my opinion is that it was very well made and didn't Hollywood-ize combat. Based on her autobiography, it stayed true to actual events.

This was my recreation of that fight with Miller front and center. The diorama consisted of two 21st Century HUMMWVs: one command and one cargo. The soldiers are all wearing MOPP gear to protect against chemical attack which most Army units would wear going on the offensive. The 12 inch (1/6 scale) figures are a combination of GI Joe, Dragon, and Elite Brigade (from Cotswolds).

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.