HONOR THEM ALL
Lynch was part of the 507th Maintenance Company, a United States Army unit which was ambushed during the Battle of Nasiriyah in the rapid advance towards Baghdad in the 2003 invasion of Iraq on 23 March 2003. Her name is usually the first that will be mentioned when you search for details on this ambush, being she was the first female prisoner of war rescued in 2003. They were five additional POWs held for 21 days. It is important that they are all honored. There were nine soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company and two soldiers from the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division who were Killed In Action during the ambush. Their stories should never be forgotten. Along with those of us that were captured, there were five who were wounded in action but not captured; and there were five others who escaped capture that day. Jessica’s story is her story, but there are so many other stories that should be told from that day. Jessica would like to extend a very special thank you to every single soldier who was part of the rescue and recovery of each soldier. You are the true heroes of this historical event. Ours was not the first or the last historical story that should be told. We have to remember them ALL and make sure the TRUTH is told above all else.
A very Special Thank YOU to the U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion 8th Marines, 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, Navy SEALs under the command of the U.S. Army, Joint Special Operations Task Force 121 composed of U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs), Army Rangers, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and Delta Force heroic action on April 1st 2003.
The 23 March 2003 Ambush
CLICK ON NAMES BELOW FOR MORE INFO ON THOSE THAT WE HONOR
Killed in action
CWO Johnny Villareal Mata - Age 35 - From Pecos, Texas
1SG Robert J. Dowdy - Age 38 - From Cleveland, Ohio
SGT Donald Walters - Age 33 - From Kansas City, Missouri
SGT George Buggs, Age 31- Barnwell, SC
SPC Jamaal R. Addison - Age 22 - From Roswell, Georgia
SPC James M. Kiehl - Age 22 - From Comfort, Texas
PFC Lori Piestewa - Age 23 - From Tuba City, Arizona
PFC Howard Johnson II - Age 21 - Mobile, Alabama
PFC Edward Anguiano, Age 24 -Brownsville, TX
PRISONERS OF WAR
SGT James Riley - Age 31 - From Pennsauken, NJ - (21 Days)
SPC Edgar Hernandez - Age 21 - From Mission, TX - (21 Days)
SPC Joseph Hudson - Age 23 - From Alamogordo, NM - (21 Days)
SPC Shoshana Johnson - Age 30 - From El Paso, TX - (21 Days)
Wounded in action
CPL Francis Carista
Escaped capture
CPT Troy Kent King
SGT Matthew Rose
SPC Nicholas Peterson
PFC Dale Nace III
PFC Adam Elliott