LUCKY MARINE TRICKS DEATH [survives four shots in the head]

sky ^ | Thursday March 27, 2003

[Maedhros]

Marine Eric Walderman wearing his lucky helmet

LUCKY MARINE TRICKS DEATH

A Royal Marine Commando who was shot in the head four times has lived to tell the tale of his lucky escape.

Eric Walderman's life was saved by his tough Kevlar helmet after he was caught in enemy gun sights during a savage firefight in Umm Qasr.

The four bullets ripped through the outer camouflage of the 25-year-olds' standard-issue helmet but were stopped by the ultra-tough protective Kevlar shell.

Just an inch lower and the father-of-one could have joined the list of British casualties.

His relieved partner Lindsey Robinson, 25, at home with their son Danny, two, said: "I can't believe it. He is so lucky to be alive. He's the luckiest man out there. I'm just so glad he's still alive."

Marine Walderman is part of 40 Commando's Alpha Company.

The former welder accomplished a life-long ambition by joining the Marines three years ago.

After 30 weeks training he passed out on March 27, 2000, receiving the famous green beret.

He was also awarded the Commando Medal, the second highest commendation for new Marines, for being an outstanding new recruit.

He went to the Gulf on January 15.

Kevlar: The Facts

• Kevlaris a polymer plastic fibre and was developed and manufactured by US firm DuPont in the mid 1960s.
• Helmets made of Kevlar are 25%-40% more resistant to projectiles than their steel predecessors of equal weight.
• Under water, Kevlar is 20 times stronger than steel.
• Kevlarbody vests and helmets have saved the lives of more than 2,700 police and prison officers in the US alone, its manufacturers claim - and they have their own Kevlar Survivors Club.
• Kevlarmilitary helmets replaced the "steel pot" helmet in the late 1970s.
• Scientists still do not know fully why Kevlar is so strong but believe it is because of its molecular composition.

Last Updated: 00:12 UK, Thursday March 27, 2003

[Mr. Silverback]

Paging MadIvan! You have got to see this photo!

[TADSLOS]

He may as well stay away from playing the lottery. His luck's all used up.

[dware]

Wonderful!

[NautiNurse]

Fabulous story! My head hurts just thinking about it.

[HiTech RedNeck]

"Oy do I have a headache!"

[Maedhros]

a slightly better pic

[yooper]

I'd say this guy has done his tour. Maybe its time he should be sent home; do a little tour with the helmet, etc.

[MassExodus]

How's his neck feel ?

I have to believe taking 4 screaming projectiles to the head would have to give a guy a neck ache.

Tough bastard, he.

God Bless the Brits!

[Cvengr]

That ain't luck, pal,...THAT's PROVIDENCE!

[MEG33]

He'll have that helmet displayed in the living room until his wife says 20 years is long enough! God bless him through his charmed life.

[LibKill]

Love that Kevlar!

[Textide]

I bet the guys in his squad think he's good luck (or at least has a top secret magnetic kevlar helmet).

Am sure they wouldn't want him to leave. Sure he wouldn't leave them either.

[discostu]

I don't know, I think he's in the zone, when you're in the zone you just gotta keep pushing.

[Kevin Curry]

Kid looks like he was born to be a Royal Marine.

[Ophiucus]

That's just impressive. Good for him.

[Michael Barnes]

Words fail..Godspeed to him, he's obviously there to accomplish something none of us are meant to know at this point in time.

[HanneyBean]

Now that's one blessed marine! I hope he remembers to go down on his knees and thank his Maker!

[GWfan]

God bless him! This warms my heart on a sad day. In another thread I saw a pic of a young man killed in action....he was from near my home town.

[mr.sarcastic]

Damn! A couple more shots and the whiplash alone could've killed him.

Somebody get him home before that luck runs out.