News 3 Special Assignment: Baghdad
Jan. 17, 2004
News 3 Returns From Special Assignment: Iraq
ONLINE FORUM -- Send A Message
SLIDESHOW: Inside The Cockpit Of C-130
Soldier Describes Scene Where Rachel Bosveld DiedDate: Jan. 17, 2004
From Baghdad
"I gave her C.P.R."
"I miss her greatly"
"It happened in the worst Baghdad neighborhood"
"She died within minutes if not immediately"
---Thorne, Bagby, Betzold, Rogers
I saw her Bronze Star for Service. I saw her 2nd Purple Heart.I learned of a teenager from my home state. I got closer to Rachel Bosveld today. I anchored the news the night she died. I was sad then in my moment of silence at my desk. Today, the grief is much deeper.I saw the shrapnel hole that tore through the seat in which she sat. I saw the shrapnel holes in the rear quarter panel of her Humvee. I saw the spot where she took her last breath. I talked to the soldiers who last saw her alive. My eyes kept returning to the hole in her seat.I envisioned Busby and Monroe screaming in pain as the hot metal tore apart their legs. The tourniquets, the confusion, the smoke, the MPs with their M-16 safety's off scanning the compound for enemy targets. I saw Bagby and Thorne ... I saw medics.I heard an ambulance. I saw her Commander fight back tears and quiver.
I addressed her platoon this morning -- 30, 40, maybe 50 soldiers in full battle gear ready for their work day -- their day in a Humvee. Young kids like her. I know these soldiers are strong. Today, they were as weak as me.They were remembering Oct 26. I told them I live in the state Rachel called home. I told them I wanted for a moment to leave MY mission as a reporter and thank them. I told them "Wisconsin residents thank you for your service."They were expressionless.They didn't move or flinch.We were all feeling the same thing.Maybe you're feeling it now.Thank you Rachel Bosveld. Your sacrifice has brought us closer.-- John Karcher,Baghdad
Date: Jan. 17, 2004
From Baghdad DEAD WISCONSIN SOLDIER REMEMBERED IN BAGHDAD: It was a somber and special moment in Baghdad today as members of the 527th MP Company from Giessen, Germany honored one of their own who died in combat Oct. 26.
The 150 members of the unit get ready to dedicate a rifle and machine gun shooting range in the name of Rachel Bosveld of Oshkosh who died in a mortar attack in Abu'Ghraib. The Soldiers made the base by hand.Members also fashioned a plaque out of marble from their base with Bosveld's name...then took me to the scene where she came under attack. This is the Humvee Rachel was in when the mortar exploded just feet from her Driver's seat.
A piece of shrapnel tore through her seat killing her. Pictured in Bosveld's Humvee they're still using today, left to right, are Sgt Jimmy Thorne of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Spc Adam Bagby of Powhatan, Virginia and Pfc Stephanie Betzold of Boise, Idaho. The three rushed to the scene and tried desparately to save her life performing CPR and co-ordinating medivacs.Also severely injured in the attack were Pfc Chris Busby and Sgt Sean Monroe who lost part of his left leg. Both are now recovering from wounds at Walter Reed in Washington.Bosveld's Commander, Capt William Rogers/Hillsboro, Texas was in tears today as he described how much Bosveld was liked.
The 19 year old Bosveld received her second Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously. Just weeks earlier, she received her first Purple Heart as did Bagby and Thorne when their Humvee was hit by an explosive device and destroyed.-John Karcher, News 3 
SPECIAL REPORT Breakdown in Baghdad, from SFC Chris Reynolds of MadisonDateline: Baghdad
The 4th Platoon Black Sheep of the 32nd MP Unit (pictured right in their three Humvees) had to bail out the broken down 3rd platoon Firebirds who's Humvee fail to start 30 minutes away from Mustang Base.SPC's Tasha Voigt and Stacy Nelson (pictured below right), with fear in their eyes, desparately tried to flag down help. Other than a few "hooah's" from passing grunts they failed.In yet another act of heroism, 4th platoon scrambled to the scene to also rescue an otherwise helpless civilian who tagged along with the Firebirds.
Upon arriving at the scene the Black Sheep hooked up the Humvee and towed it to Mustang. The helpless civilian, who napped, never woke up. Firebird leader SGT Brian Snyder (shown here) using his last MRE to create a little "back pressure" on the muffler in an attempt to start the engine gave up and continued to fill his face with burgers and fries.---SFC Chris Reynolds Date: Jan. 17, 2004
From Baghdad LADIES PREP FOR SATURDAY NIGHT OUT: War's Tough on Cuticles.The Women Soldiers in the 32nd look like they've just had their nails done....in the MOTOR POOL. Spc's Danielle Robinson, Laura Schultz, Heidi Knutson, Heidi Behn and Autumn Horton show off. Only their Mom's will know who's who. Whether its digging around in dirty humvees for gear, or cleaning rifles...this isn't pretty.
Maybe they need to soak 'em in CLP? (M-16 rifle cleaner.) Word in camp tonight....Spc's Tasha Voigt and Stacy Nelson of Rio are soaking their toes and eating chocolate for a little night of "comfort". (Someone from News 3 was outside their dorm and heard the two talking.)Voigt: AAAAAAAAAAh...that CLP feels good hey Nellie?Tomorrow's update: "Oh My Split Ends" -John Karcher, News 3
Nelson: Sure does...pass the snickers will ya?
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