Page 112 - 100 Hours to Destiny

BATTLE OF THE 3 TANKS

2/26/1991 @ 0700 hours – 7 am Kuwait time

I woke to the sound of a very aggressive pilot putting through the
paces of an OV-10 observation aircraft just above our position. The pilot
nose-diving, hundreds of feet at a time, yanking sharp banks, then straight
up and pulling wingovers…as if to say, “Hey boys, I’m here and I’m
watching.” These pilots absolutely had observed the entire Invasion from its
infant beginnings and relentlessly hovered overhead 24 hours persistently.
So, this morning I was startled to an awakening once again in enemy
territory. The sun was breaking over the horizon and I jumped from my
sleeping bag, stood on my feet on top of the LOG only to find Delta Company
still perfectly in its position. I sighed a breath of relief, realizing my brothers
of Delta were all OK, protected us well, and were now preparing for the next
movement toward enemy territory. I thought about each and every man that
had stood watch that night in the bitter cold, holding his weapon at the
ready diligently walking his post giving security to fellow sleeping Marines.
Hastily I reached down for a pair of high-powered binos from my
driver's compartment; Peering through I began to search enemy battle trash
in my vicinity, in the happenchance that somewhere an enemy sniper may
be lurking, perhaps ready to do his part to destroy Americans. Scanning…
scanning… scanning. Revealed no movement. I went on to look at my fellow
Marines of Delta. The temperature was near freezing if not actually freezing
and everyone was wearing a vast array of gear…. heavy coats and chem suits,
hoods under their helmets, gloves…. in the struggle to keep warm. I could
see Marines brewing up morning coffee and hot chocolate Mocha. I took a
look at American Hero only to see Capt Pollard along with Terry Davis,
Christopher Gilmore, and driver Marcus Mitchell already in their battle
positions.
“Gunny, I think we are going to be moving here really quick. I’m
going to get set to move because I see Rock’s looking north and they are all
mounted up.”
Gunny took the binos from me and said, “Damn, here we go. Mount
up!”
With that, the 275hp Detroit of the LOG came alive. It was cold and it
took a moment for the turbo to wind up. I was just really grateful that indeed
she did fire up. Some Marines were having mechanical trouble and I thought