Soldier Loses Leg In Search For Missing Soldiers

Stars & Stripes ^ | June 21, 2006 | Steve Mraz

[tgslTakoma]

LANDSTUHL, Germany — Find the missing soldiers and get to them before the worst could happen.

That’s what was going through the mind of Spc. Joshua Gutierrez late Friday and early Saturday as he was driving a Bradley fighting vehicle during a mission to locate Army Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, and Army Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore.

“They’re soldiers,” said an emotional Gutierrez from a bed in the intensive care unit at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. “Just like me. They’re soldiers. Just like me.”

Gutierrez was one of 12 troops wounded in the search for Menchaca and Tucker, who went missing Friday near Youssifiyah, Iraq, in an apparent kidnapping by heavily armed insurgents. The bodies of Menchaca and Tucker were recovered Tuesday near where they were captured, U.S. and Iraqi military officials said.

Gutierrez, with 1st Platoon “Punishers,” Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, was part of a massive search for the two missing soldiers that involved more than 8,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops.

The 24-year-old Gutierrez, of Mira Loma, Calif., was driving a Bradley early Saturday morning during the search north of Iskandariyah when it hit what he thinks was either a mine or improvised bomb.

Initially, Gutierrez thought he was going to burn to death. He was trying to open the ramp to let soldiers in the back out of the Bradley.

“I was basically yelling because the cockpit was on fire,” he said. “My driver’s area was on fire. I was like, ‘Get me out of here. I can’t move.’ I couldn’t push up. I could grip the handle [on the hatch], but I couldn’t push up because it weighs about 150 pounds. Usually, I use my legs to help push it up, but my legs were broken. I didn’t know they were broken at the time.”

The gunner on the Bradley — a fellow specialist — jumped out of his seat, opened the hatch and pulled out Gutierrez.

Gutierrez heard the specialist might get a Bronze Star Medal for saving him.

“I hope he does,” Gutierrez said. “He deserves it. He pulled me out. I just want to tell him I love him; you’re my brother. He pulled me out of the fire.”

Gutierrez suffered severe injuries to both his legs. He arrived at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Sunday. His left leg is fractured, and a portion of his right leg had to be amputated as a result of the blast.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

Gutierrez, who had just learned that the bodies of Menchaca and Tucker had been found, had a message for their families.

“I’d just like to tell them that their efforts and their courage and bravery is not in vain,” Gutierrez said. “There’s a reason all this happened, even if the reason still escapes them. There’s a good reason behind all this.”

“They did not die in vain,” he said.

[bnelson44]

The greatest generation lives!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Please....we need a kleenex alert..My computer is blurry.

Yes! the greatest gneration lives!!!

F...U Murtha and Kerry!

[68skylark]

...a portion of his right leg had to be amputated as a result of the blast.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

Wow, that's the attitude of a really hard-core soldier. I really wish him well during his recovery -- we all do.

[Txsleuth]

WOW...yet another sad, yet wonderful, story about the bravest generation.

Thanks.

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you, SPC Gutierrez.

[nonsporting]

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

Mr. Gutierrez.

[is_is]

"these young men are the MOST EXCEPTIONAL part of America!!"

[cibco]

God Bless these people..

[poobear]

I'm typing but I can't see my monitor. What heroes! God Bless these brave young men!

[is_is]

you guys are gonna want to see this.

[Milhous]

"these young men are the MOST EXCEPTIONAL part of America!!"

Amen!! Brave Men and Demons

[ElkGroveDan]

California, the land of fruits and nuts, people in California are all commies, California should fall into the ocean, are they all CRAZY out there, it’s Kalifornistan, they aren’t normal, what do you expect, it’s California…blah…blah…blah

24-year-old Gutierrez, of Mira Loma, Calif..... “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.” ....“There’s a reason all this happened, even if the reason still escapes them. There’s a good reason behind all this.”.... “They did not die in vain,” he said.

Thank you for your brave words and deeds Joshua, for me and my family and all Americans. I'm going to see to it personally that you are recognized and honored here in your home state when you are home and healed.

[immigration lady]

why isn't he standing up for our troops right now! Why is he silent on this whole issue? I don't understand. Our troops need him. Our country needs him. He's deathly quiet.

[twigs]

He stands up for our troops 24 hours a day. In fact, he just took a trip to Iraq to thank troops in person at considerable risk. Also, he's the President of the United States. He must multi-task. There's an enormous number of tasks which he must handle. Immediately.

[immigration lady]

you know, he had a gazillion things on his mind after 9-11 but he found a moment to get in front of the American people and reassure us. Why can he not do that now?

[Zavien Doombringer]

What does he need to say? We haven't lost him, so what's the worry?

[Zavien Doombringer]

9-11 is not a squirmish in battle... totally different

[immigration lady]

umm, he could say something like we will not tolerate this type of behavior and that we will hunt them down and we won't rest until we find them.

I, along with thousands of other conservatives, that this is something that needs to be addressed. We look very weak to our enemy right now - as if we have no leadership. Even Sean, Rush, Savage, Bill O'Reily, have all have said the same thing. So far he has offered nothing more than lip service to the MSM.

I know he has a lot on his mind and he has a lot to do. This country needs reassurances. The families of our slain soldiers need to hear it publicly from him to the American people. It will strengthen their resolve that their sons did not die such a horrible death in vain.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Being a Vet, I can assure you that even if I got wounded in battle, a word from the president - though the thought of it is nice - would be the last thing on my mind.

We already know the stance our President has on the war against the terrorists. We do not look weak to the enemy, that is why they are running and hiding all the way to Syria.

We need action, not lip service. Somethings are just better off not being said.

[pillut48]

God bless this young soldier as he recovers and for the rest of his life! This is what America truly is all about. :*)

[pillut48]

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 President Bush Addresses Troops in Iraq And so the first thing I want to tell you is the American people are incredibly grateful for what you do, and I bring their greetings and their thanks for the sacrifices you and your family make. These are historic times. The mission that you're accomplishing here in Iraq will go down in the history books as an incredibly important moment in the history of freedom and peace; an incredibly important moment of doing our duty to secure our homeland. You know, right after September the 11th I knew that some would forget the dangers we face. Some would hope that the world would be what it's not -- a peaceful place in which people wouldn't want to do harm to those of us who love freedom. I vowed that day, after September the 11th, to do everything I could to protect the American people. And I was able to make that claim because I knew there were people such as yourself who were willing to be on the front line in the war on terror. Baghdad and Iraq is a front in the war on terror. It is a part of our mission to help make sure that the world is a better place. I truly believe the work that you're doing here is laying the foundation of peace for generations to come, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The progress here in Iraq has been remarkable when you really think about it. The people of this country suffered under the hands of a brutal tyrant -- and thanks to the United States forces and coalition forces, the people are liberated from the clutches of Saddam Hussein. (Applause.) America is safer, the world is better off and the Iraqi people have a chance to realize the great blessings of liberty because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. Thanks to your hard work, the Iraqi people have been given a chance to go to the polls -- not once, but three different times -- to elect a government that is dedicated to the will of the people. One of the things that we've got to realize -- "we," the world, have got to realize, is that Iraqi women want their children to grow up in a peaceful world; they want their sons and daughters to be well educated; they want to live in peace and harmony; they want to be able to realize their hopes and aspirations. It's a common desire, and is one that you all are helping the Iraqis realize. It's important work, it's vital work, and it's historic work. Our military will stay on the offense. We will continue to hunt down people like Mr. Zarqawi, and bring them to justice. (Applause.) We will continue to train the Iraqis, so they can help the unity government secure the peace. This is a moment -- this is a time where the world can turn one way or the other, where the world can be a better place or a more dangerous place. And the United States of America and citizens such as yourself are dedicated to making sure that the world we leave behind is a better place for all. It is such an honor to be here. (Applause.) It is such an honor to be with you. May God bless you all, may God bless your work, may God bless your families, and may God continue to bless the United States of America. (Applause.) http://www.gop.com/MultiMedia/Transcript.aspx?ID=1104 video: http://tinyurl.com/e5dgy

[marmar]

This is what it means to be a American.....and a Patriot, this is what makes US, such a great nation. I love our Warriors.......

[Beckwith]

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

I almost cried when I read that. May God bless him.

[Ben Chad]

why isn't he standing up for our troops right now!

damn good question!

[pillut48]

I'm just not getting these anti-Bush posts today...please see post #24, the President speaking just a few days ago...

[dennisw]

Warrior Spc. Joshua Gutierrez you are in my prayers. Remain in light, I know you will

[Landry Fan]

ping

[WLR]

And we should feel guilty for wanting those worthless CHicano LA Raz/ ReconQuesta protesters and Illegals out?

We owe it to Guterrez and every American of Mexican Heritage (Including my two grandsons) to protect their Honor.

A bunch of Marxists, gangsters and malecontents should never be allowed unapposed to sully the real Hispanic Americans Communities honor and contributions to our country.

W

[marmar]

So do you think that Gutirrez, would agree that Freedom isn't free. He has purchased freedom for many of us with his blood, (la raza) is a joke to those who understand, what it means to be an American.

Americans of Latin decent play a part in this great nation as many others do. I thank God for all those who love America, and don't play the victim card. TSgt AF

[immigration lady]

I am not anti-Bush. I do need to hear my President get up before the American people and say a brief statement to the American people about the tragedy and to hear him acknowledge the barbaric act upon our military men, our kids! They were 20 years old for God's sake. In a day or so it won't matter what he says. It will be too little too late. The American people need to hear him speak to us. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Veterans may not need to hear it, God bless all of them. The rest of us do. I know my heart would rest easier and perhaps I wouldn't be so ourwardly angry if he would acknowledge it.

[rake]

God bless him...

[Onelifetogive]

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

What a guy!

[PISANO]

It is both heartening and humbling to KNOW that we live amongst people like Spc. Joshua Gutierrez.

As you said the GREATEST GENERATION lives!!

[Heyworth]

California, the land of fruits and nuts, people in California are all commies, California should fall into the ocean, are they all CRAZY out there, it’s Kalifornistan, they aren’t normal, what do you expect, it’s California…blah…blah…blah

More Californians have died in Iraq than from any other state (although Texas isn't far behind).

[txrangerette]

You are either hysterical, a child, or a troll. Thankfully, those who fight for our country... aren't.

[ElkGroveDan]

More Californians have died in Iraq than from any other state (although Texas isn't far behind).

Thanks for the reminder.

[GovernmentShrinker]

From what I've heard, he prefers to meet privately with wounded soldiers and the families of soldiers killed in action, and does a great deal of that. Good for him. That sort of thing should NEVER be allowed to carry even the slightest whiff of a political photo op.

[radiohead]

F...U Murtha and Kerry!

Just thought I'd say it again.

[SuziQ]

His left leg is fractured, and a portion of his right leg had to be amputated as a result of the blast.
“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll deal with it.”

God Bless our fighting men!

[La Enchiladita]

Correcto!!

Much honor has been brought to the U.S. by soldiers of Mexican and hispanic heritage.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Why all the trouncing on immigration lady? hey, ease up. This is upsetting to everyone, and she is upset. I have often gotten very upset over something Bush should or shouldn't have done and expressed it on Freeper. Where else can I do that?

That's the beauty of this site. i can argue and get upset with those who have the basic same perspective. i sure can't do that with the dummies, etc.

[TexKat]

Thank you for the ping is_is. This soldiers bravery, unselfishness, attitude and spirit brings a sparkle to my heart.

tgslTakoma thank you for posting the thread. Kudos to the author of this article.

Spc. Joshua Gutierrez you da man! Thank you for your bravery, your unselfishness, your attitude, your spirit and your service to the US and to the American people.

May God shine down on you, yours and your future.

[maxwellp]

"The greatest generation lives!".

They sure do and I am taking courage from them. God Bless our Military - the best of America!

[txrangerette]

She was ridiculously over the top in her demands, that's why. Our stalwart heroes deserve better than her hysterical Bush bashing.

What is she, a baby? Wahhhhh, wahhhhh, I demand the President whom I am trashing jump immediately to my tune like a puppet on a string and comfort me like my mommy and tell me there, there THERE it's gonna be alright.

Or, I suspect something isn't exactly on the up and up. Imagine calling yourself "immmigration lady", then bashing the President just like the all-immigration-all-the-time people do, but doing so in connection with these horrific deaths of our brave servicemen, while claiming she actually supports the President.

DUH!