On October 3, 1993, during Operation Gothic Serpent, an assault mission to apprehend advisers to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down in the city. articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. Shughart was born August 13, 1958, in Lincoln, Nebraska, into a United States Air Force family of German descent. Undeterred, Gordon repeated his request until it was granted. Sergeant First ClassRandall David Shughart was born on August 13, 1958, and died on October 3, 1993. The main divergence in the movie is that more is that some people were shown doing things others did: In the end, the movie won 2 Oscars in 2001. Stories of the Unsolved. Sergeant First Class Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft, establishing a perimeter which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most vulnerable position. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. "When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site," his medal citation reads. Its not high like normal optic mounts for the M14 platform. They established a defensive perimeter around the crash site. "Gordon was the epitome of the dependable individual who so believes in taking responsibility that he gives his life to protect his fellow men," Fred Borch, author of "For Military Merit: Recipients of the Purple Heart," told IBD. "The support, people coming forward financially to repair and things like that has been amazing to see," a Lincoln Police Department officer said to Insider. Honours and Awards. Gary Gordon and Sgt. At the time, MSG Gordon was Sniper Team Leader during a joint-force assault mission to apprehend key advisers to Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and the warlord himself if possible. I purchased an M1A with the sole purpose of creating a clone look-a-like rifle that matched the visual appearance of the M14 from the movie Black Hawk Down that was carried by the actor Johnny Strong as he played the role of Randy Shughart on screen. [4] Command's position was that the snipers could be of more assistance by providing air cover. [7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. Master Sergeant Gordon continued to travel the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. After putting the gun back together, I ended up putting on a National Match leather sling to get the same look from the film. Oops, there's been an error. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. The Shughart-Gordon MOUT site was named for Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. Eversmann is the clearest example of this. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. On Oct. 3, Gordon was the sniper team leader during Operation Gothic Serpent, an American operation that targeted Aidid's key advisers in the slums of Mogadishu. certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. President George H.W. In 1992, a cease-fire opened the way for the United Nations to deliver food, protected by a coalition that included U.S. troops. Spec Ops Magazine 2023 All Rights Reserved. "He and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first Americans to receive our highest military decoration since the Vietnam War.". Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site, armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, and made their way to the downed Blackhawk. M14. Bush authorized the dispatch of U.S. troops to Somalia to assist with famine relief as part of the larger United Nations effort. Gary Gordon - Wikipedia Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. Gary Gordon, however, concluded that there was no way the downed Black Hawk crew could survive on their own because they were outnumbered and critically wounded. The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. Aidid suffered a gunshot wound in the ensuing battle. Gordon, however, repeated his request until he got permission. 1st Class Randall Shughart, a 35-year-old from Newville, Pa., who so loved the military that he made his wife, Stephanie, promise never to ask him to quit? This rifle is a fantastic foundation for a project like this. One result was disruption of the African country's agriculture, resulting in 300,000 people dying of starvation. What happened to the pilot in Black Hawk Down? Authors may own the stocks they discuss. Speaking about the pairs heroic efforts in Somalia, Clinton said: Gordon and Shughart knew their own chances of survival were extremely bleak. The battle was a disaster for coalition troops and resulted in a major strategic victory for Somali National Alliance forces, with American, Malaysian and Pakistani forces suffering heavy losses. His rifle was never recovered, so we dont know exactly what his was like although there are people who have done a lot of digging to give us a pretty good idea. [12] He then proceeded to openly criticize the president, telling him, "You are not fit to be president of the United States. The aftermath of this confrontation shifted American foreign policy and led to an eventual termination of the United Nations mission in Somalia in 1995. Gordon rarely talked about the details of his military career. Hoot seems to be a merge of Hooten and Howe in the book, which features more prominently in the book than Hooten. Meaning the part over the action is open but there are some Picatinny slots at the rear and front of the receiver. Michael Durant was released after 11 days of captivity. They set up a defense perimeter and gave Durant a rifle to protect their rear, since he was the only one in condition to help them. On October 3, 1993, they engaged in Operation Gothic Serpent, a joint-force assault mission to apprehend key advisers to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a Somali warlord. The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. [1] According to Durant's book In the Company of Heroes, the Somalis counted 25 of their militia dead after the firefight. Eighteen Americans were killed. I used an Aimpoint PRO for the optic and I kept the original mount on the Aimpoint PRO; I just removed the spacer to make it sit lower. Shughart and Gordon - Sniper Central Gordon and Shughart were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger. The bodies were returned in poor condition, one with a severed head. SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), and Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military. Get market updates, educational videos, webinars, and stock analysis. Following the announcement, the Lincoln Police Department received an outpouring of support for repairing the gravestone. The Mission commander said that the situation was already too dangerous for the Delta snipers to safeguard the Blackhawk crew from the ground effectively But, they insisted! Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart's Heroic Efforts During the Battle of Who was the real hoot in Black Hawk Down? Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart and Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, were two Delta Force snipers who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. I tried looking it up and all it said was that the bodies were dragged through the streets and I couldn't find anything about how the US eventually got the bodies back. "Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army," Gordon's citation says. 5 How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? By most accounts, Gordon was killed first, with Shughart returning to an injured Mike Durant to give him Gordons carbine. Guns like an M16A1, a Rhodesian baby poop camo-painted FAL, the FNC, the M1 Garand, etc., are all guns I hope to add to my gun safe one day. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. The Battle of Mogadishu resulted in 18 soldiers killed five from Delta Force and 73 wounded. At one point, MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart requested permission to land near the second helicopter crash site and defend the crash site and four critically wounded helicopter crew members. Carmen Gordon wrote a letter to their children and had it published to help others coping with similar loss: "Your father had two families. Gary Gordon and Sgt. After completing basic training, he successfully completed infantry AIT (advanced individual training), Airborne School, and in 1978 was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington. Randy Shughart | Detailed Pedia [55] . Then there is Chief Instructor Grant LaVelle, who has decades of experience training Marines, police officers and citizens alike. The USNS Shughart is currently the lead ship in her class, and is capable of carrying 48 track vehicles, 58 tanks, and over 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. They were only armed with their sniper rifles and pistols. On May 23, 1994, President Clinton awarded Gordon and Shughart the Medal of Honor, joining just 3,000 others in two centuries. And on the GunSpot Academy, you can find high-quality original content. Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Rob Guzzo: The Tragic Story of a Dedicated Navy SEAL, The Day of the Rangers: An unforgettable moment in military history. Its also not forward of the action like scout optics. Upon reaching the downed Blackhawk, which was under intense fire, Gordon and Shughart pulled the crew from the wreckage and proceeded to setup a defensive parameter. 1st Class Randy Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions to secure the site of one of the Black Hawk crashes to recover survivors. He joined the Boy Scouts and played football in high school, graduating in 1978. Shughart's body was recovered after several days. Law enforcement officers from Maine are investigating a possible vandalism case of a gravestone belonging to US Army Master Sgt. In the movie, there is a single scope ring at the front of the receiver holding an Aimpoint CompM. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. On the first call, mission commanders denied their request to go there and protect the site of the downed helicopter until reinforcements arrived. In the end, 19 American soldiers were killed, including six Delta Force operators, and 73 were wounded. The scenario-based is on Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. The initial insertion attempt failed and they had to insert about 100 meters away from the crash site. The sniper team began to engage, the attacking Somalis from the opposite side of the wreckage. M14. Shughart retrieved Gordon's CAR-15 and gave it to Durant to use. As the second Blackhawk, containing Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant, was hit and crashed, Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart, were in a nearby Blackhawk monitoring radio traffic. Some of the things happening in convoy getting lost seem to be consolidated onto McKnight. What is the white stuff in my gas fireplace? The showdown pitted 160 special operations soldiers arriving in 19 helicopters and 12 vehicles against 3,000 Aidid men. By this time, more Somali militiamen were arriving intent on either capturing or killing the American servicemen. Randy Shughart was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, into an Air Force family. While their heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia resulted in their deaths, they efforts allowed for the rescue of a fellow soldier. A combat search and rescue (CSAR) team was sent in to secure the survivors. Gordon's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. The peacekeepers then faced the task of overcoming the decades-long intertribal conflicts within the war-torn nation. The pilot of their helicopter said that anyone in their right mind would never have gone in, but they insisted on it because they were comrades in danger, because they believed passionately in the creed that says, I will not fail those with whom I serve., Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart died in the most courageous and selfless way any human being can act, he concluded. In 1996 the US Navy named two ships after Shughart and Gordon in honor of their heroic actions. [5], There was some confusion in the aftermath of the action as to who had been killed first. Who was Randy Shughart? - Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute It was later reported Durant initially misidentified who was killed first, but did not wish to change the official record. The ceremony was attended by a number of officers and politicians including Shughart's commanding officer at the time of his death; John W. Douglass, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; Senator Bob Kerrey; and others. The pair landed 100 meters south of the crashsite and, armed with sniper rifles and pistols, fought their way to the downed Black Hawk. When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the second crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. He enlisted in the U.S. Army the same year at age 18, and after serving with the 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, he was chosen to join the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) as a sniper. I didnt dive deep into what trigger Shughart would have had, or glass bedding of the action, etc. Gary Gordon and Sgt. Engaged in combat with Aidids militia, the Ranger forces on the ground were unable to assist. Archived post. However, it added that the family "was never notified that this was happening.". The fourth pilot was captured and later released. They realized that reinforcements would most likely not arrive in time, but fought on against overwhelming odds, exhibiting selfless service and personal courage. 1 Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? Gordon and Shugart are among the Americans honored on Memorial Day, which remembers those who died serving in the military. The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly giveaways! As a result, Ive found myself increasingly interested in recreations of famous guns used around the world. In December 1986, Gordon volunteered to join the 1st Special Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), better known as Delta Force. Once he committed to something, the way was clear. SGT. GORDON'S LAST RESCUE - The Washington Post After completing basic training, he successfully finished infantry advanced individual training (AIT). Randall David Shughart (August 13, 1958 October 3, 1993) was a United States Army Delta Force operator who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu, during Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993. . Delta Force. Both are elite, super soldiers held in the highest regard for their specially-trained combat skills and endurance on and off the battlefield; they are the best of the . If youve never heard of this rifle or you dont understand the fascination with it, let me say that its not just the rifle its the story behind it. Elements of the Rangers are left to run to a rendez-vous point . The views Designed to support up to a battalion-level assault, this . I'm hit. Police officers from Maine are investigating a possible vandalism case of a gravestone belonging to US Army Master Sgt. Before deploying with his unit to Somalia, he married his wife Carmen, and together they had two children. No doubt about it, the rifle in the movie is a full-length M14, similar to the Standard Issue M1A. [8], SFC Shughart's awards and decorations include:[9][10], On May 23, 1994, Shughart and Gordon were posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor for protecting the crew of Super Six Four. In 1997, the Navy named roll-on/roll-off ship USNSShughart(T-AKR-295) in a ceremony at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego. Halling stayed behind to man a door gun as one of the helicopter's gunners had been wounded. He was a soldier in the United States Army special operations unit, the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force). Talk:Randy Shughart - Wikipedia As he was preparing to fast rope from Super 67, Blackburn missed the rope, falling between 60-90 feet ( 18.29m-27.43m). A Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down first, and later that day the Black Hawk helicopter Super Six-Four was shot down. He kept repeating his request twice until he finally received permission to engage. Mission commanders felt it too dangerous and believed the snipers would be of more assistance in the air. One gun on the list that I have been fortunate to add is the M1A, a semi-automatic version of the M14. Mission commanders denied their request; in fact, they said that the situation was already too dangerous for the three Delta snipers to effectively protect the Blackhawk crew from the ground because overwhelming Somali militias outnumbered them. The Commands position was that three of them could be of more assistance by providing air cover. Deadly Price. Gary Gordon is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Penobscot . Several months later, he completed the pre-ranger course, obtained a spot at Ranger School and earned his Ranger Tab. After Aidid's forces killed 24 Pakistani soldiers that were part of the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council called for the militia leaders to be arrested or killed. Atto is alleged to have masterminded the defeat of Aidid. Of the four man crew, only Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived, suffering a crushed vertebra and comminuted fracture to his left femur. Shughart-Gordon Urban Operations Training Center ("MOUT Site"), US Army Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. However, beyond that, it wasn't likely. A smoke grenade gave Gordon and Shughart some cover as they fought their way 100 yards through a shantytown to the downed craft. Gary I Gordon Tales of Honor Podcast In 1996, the US Navy held a ceremony in Newport News, Virginia, during which it named the roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Gordon. Again, out of ammo, he was only able to retrieve one weapon and five rounds, which he gave to Durant and said Good Luck. What is the most elite unit in the military? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Master Sergeant Gordons extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon, his unit and the United States Army. Graphic Novel Features Delta Force Snipers | AUSA News outlets broadcasted searing images of mobs dragging the bodies of dead Army Special Operators and helicopter crewmen . It was intended to last an hour, but ended up extending into the next day. In spite of these deficiencies, however, Black Hawk Down is a very realistic, historically accurate portrayal of modern war and tells a relevant and powerful story in an almost flawless example of an American war movie. Springfield Armory recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a . Master Sgt. The Aimpoint PRO has a nearly identical aesthetic to the CompM and can still be put in a singular scope ring should you desire that. By the fall of 1992, the nation of Somalia was war-torn and ravaged by famine. Their ammunition nearly depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali militias gunfire. Both mens bodies were recovered. I only tried to match it in appearance and not performance. Or was he Master Sgt. Get instant access to exclusive stock lists, expert market analysis and powerful tools with 2 months of IBD Digital for only $20! Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. On that day, October 3, 1993, two American heroes Master Sgt. Despite the fact that he was critically low on ammunition, he provided some of it to the dazed pilot and then radioed for help.