Page 137 - 100 Hours to Destiny

STANDBY – COALITION FORCES TO PUSH THE ENEMY OUT

The radio crackled, it was Delta 6, and what he said next was taken
by many as a double-edged blade. “Delta Company, this is Delta 6. Platoon
Commanders gather your people to your vehicle for this next transmission.
This is important Gents, gather ‘round the radio for all ears to hear. I’ll give
you a few moments to get that accomplished.”
For me, it seemed an eternity as the radio was eerily silent for about
45 seconds. The anticipation of what Rock was going to tell Delta Company
made me stand up on top of the LOG, put my hands on my hips and take a
big deep breath, waiting for what was coming down. I was looking at Kuwait
City when suddenly the word came, it was Delta 6 reappearing on the net.
“Delta Company this is Delta 6, Actual, Delta One, you standing by?”
“Standing by.”
“Delta Two, all present and accounted for?”
“Standing by to stand by Sir.”
“Very well gents, here’s the word. Coalition forces are sweeping
through the city, now. The Kuwaiti resistance is fighting in the streets, now.
Word from Battalion is that the 1st Marine Division, to include us, will
standby and allow Coalition Forces to push the enemy out of the city. At this
point Iraqi forces are evacuating north, on the road to Basra, there the US
Army, with it’s beautiful M1 Abrams main battle tanks are engaging the
Republican Guard in a huge tank battle. Of course, annihilating them. Air
assets from the US Marine Corps and Air Force are overhead lending support
to ground troops.”
The Captain continued, “For Delta Company, pretty much we are
standing down and standing by for further word from Battalion. Gentlemen,
the war for us is over. Take a look around and remember this day. A day of
victory, and a mission successfully accomplished by hard work,
determination and sacrifice. I want to thank the Platoon Commanders and
every Marine that made it this far. Remember who you are and where you
came from. Semper Fi.”
When I heard that news, I threw my head back and exhaled with a
mental clearing of conclusion. I looked back at Kuwait City and thought of
what it might have been like to go street by street, house to house, room by
room fighting a stubborn enemy. How many more Delta and 1st Marine
Division Marines would have made the ultimate sacrifice had that
happened? Would that have been me? I had studied in depth WWII and the
Vietnam conflict where Marines fought for days in cities and thought of the