![]() ![]() ![]() What the 2/5 did not know, was that the Mahdi Army loyal to al-Sadr had already seized key Iraqi police positions throughout the city. Palpable anger had replaced the initial feelings of thankfulness for Americans liberating the city from Saddam Hussein. They had moved their Bradley vehicles out to provide security for the operation.īy Saturday, the locals started massive demonstrations against the Americans. Josh told us that on Friday, April 2, the Army had shut down a newspaper loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr that was spouting anti-American rhetoric and advocating violence against the troops. They had only been in Iraq since March, and assumed they had missed the fighting. The 2/5 was the “second wave” – the replacement for another unit at Camp War Eagle outside the city. I guess I was naive to think I was ready to test my skills. ![]() “It was supposed to be a peacekeeping mission with nothing going on. After figuring out what a “Bradley” was, he told us he was ready to test his skills. Starting off as an infantryman, the Army told him he’d be with “Bradleys” – Bradley M-2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicles- on the deployment to Iraq. His experience as a Marine were skills needed… but he had no idea how needed they were about to become. After two years, the deployment to Iraq came. Then he joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort Hood. He eventually left the Corps as a Corporal. During his time as a Marine, he served during the US Embassy bombing in 1998. Joshua York began his 22 year military career in the US Marine Corps right out of high school. The battle became known by some as “Black Sunday.” “The Long Road Home ” is a miniseries that began on November 7 and is based on a book written by Martha Raddatz about the real battle for survival. Army Infantry Squad Leader Joshua York was in Sadr City on Apwhen all hell broke loose. Comanche Red Platoon was with 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment (2/5) – the unit ambushed by forces loyal to Shi’ite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. ![]()
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