Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart

During the battle of Mogadishu in Somalia 1993, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shugart became heroes for their outstanding bravery and commitment. As members of the Special Forces their job was to offer precision sniper fire to protect the first downed Black Hawk helicopter. When they heard a second Black Hawk had crashed and no immediate rescue squads could be formed they voluntarily asked to be inserted to defend and save the downed crew from the angry, growing mob that approached them. Both were deployed 100 meters away from the crash site. Upon arrival, they found the pilot, Mike Durant and his copilot struggling to escape their cockpit. Gordon and Shugart became vulnerable to enemy fire when they carried the downed crew out and away from danger. Both knew the outcome of their decision was fatal, although they put that aside and focused on others.

Gordon and Shugart knew there was little time before the whole crash site was going to be overrun and their lives would end. With only a rifle and a side arm each, they defended the downed helicopter. After killing an uncertain amount of enemies Gordon had been struck by a bullet and killed, though Shugart continued to fight until he had been fatally wounded. Both showed great perseverance in their willingness to fight to the end. They were not hesitant with making life threatening decisions. Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shugart are my heroes because they show great valor and boldness.

These two soldiers worked as a team during their incredibly dangerous task of protecting the Black Hawk. From this conflict came a great story of sacrifice. Even if it meant death, they were willing to put their lives on the line to save a wounded comrade. Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shugart were selfless and focused on those around them more then they did on themselves.