SEAL Team 6 Operators Reccount the Biggest Loss in SEAL Team History: Extortion 17
Please take a moment and pause to honor and remember these heroes.
The following sailors assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:
Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana
Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, California
Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Arkansas
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Connecticut
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Missouri
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, West Virginia
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, California
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, North Carolina
Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah
Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Nebraska
Cryptologist Technician(Collection)Petty Officer 1st Class(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Florida
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah
The following sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, California
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL)Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minnesota
The soldiers killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colorado
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment(General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Nebraska
* Sergeant Hamburger was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant
Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
The airmen killed were:
Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida
Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, California
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pennsylvania
All three airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, North Carolina.
Seven Afghan National Army commandos and one Afghan civilian interpreter were also killed in the crash.
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Never forget August 6th, 2011.
I will never forget that day. I remember where I was. I took the phone call and had to wake up the Commander to notify him.
Thank you for all that you do to remember these men and families that paid the ultimate price.
Shawn, I appreciate you for one talent above all; a talent which all other content creators and podcast hosts would do well to adopt. The talent I admire and love you for most is the way you know when to talk and, most importantly, when to shut the fuck up and listen. That lends more viewability and respectability than you'll ever know. Thank you for what you work so hard to give us all. If it weren't for you I'd still have the old eyes I used to view the world through. Eyes which were much less informed and much more naive. I owe this newfound wisdom to you and your show. I'm eternally grateful.
Shawn, thank you for bleeping out DJ. Because you did, I was able to show my sons this clip and show them what heroes and sacrifice means. I tied that in with the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
RIP Gents!! Thank everyone of y’all for your service
I was a Ranger involved in this OP. The Rangers were on the ground before Extortion 17 went down. The Ranger force was hitting an objective when the Seals were called in as a QRF. We had ISR picking up a fighting force gathering that was getting ready to attack. The Ranger force dropped their objective and ran non-stop to the crash site. Because of the known enemy in the area, and high potential for contact, the plan was to conduct a false infill with the empty bird and then insert the team if/when the area was clear. As the birds were approaching the LZ they were flying rather low over a village and two RPGs were fired from the roof top of a building. The first one missed. The second was a devastating direct hit. We spent 3 days meticulously going through the crash site. This event sent shockwaves through the special ops community. I had lost buddies in previous deployments, but nothing compared to the significance of the loss sustained on this day. I was at the ceremony at Bagram when we put our fallen on the planes to send them home. That ceremony was by far the most difficult event of my military career. I commend you gentlemen for having the courage to share your experiences. I know first hand how difficult it can be to open up, but somehow it helps soothe the sole. Rest in peace brothers. RLTW
Thank you, Michael.
Amazing story..thank you for your service. You’re a real life hero
That was a bad day
Thanks for filling in! And thank you for your service!
Thank you for your service Ranger, it’s too bad you had to tell this story but it’s what the military does. You guys are awesome.
JT Tumilson is my wife's cousin. The 1st time I met Jon was right before I deployed to Desert Shield/Storm. He was a young teen and told me he was going to be a SEAL. WE WILL NEVER FORGET...
That was a dark day. 4 deployments myself but nothing like these Amazing Americans. And then to retreat from Afghan with our tail between our legs, killed me… All for nothing…..Biden is pure cowardice and an American Traitor!!
Great Lakes Boot Camp?
Your cousin and all these guys were great heroes I thank God for all
@@ronaldrey8474San Diego
@@AndrewTa530you start at Great Lakes Boot camp in Illinois before you ever make it to Coronado.
John "Jet Lee" Douangdara, was K-9 handler on Extortion 17. He was from my home town. This still looms over his parents who are good hardworking people who came to this country in 1972 as refugees. John said once that he volunteered for the Navy to payback for the kindness this country had shown his family. Truly a great hero, we lost
🙏🏼🇺🇲
I was a civilian dispatched to dover with a rented reefer trailer . I got these men home as fast as possible. I'd never had a trailer loaded with such precious cargo in my entire 34 years behind the wheel. I never stopped until the task was complete. 5 solid days and nights I never cried that much in my life
As an Iraq/Afghanistan combat veteran, and as a driver for 22 years. Let me say this…….I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I’ve only been a driver for 23 years, grew up riding with my dad in the 80’s in cabovers and joined the military in ‘98 and did my deployments in Iraq/Afghanistan/CHAD and Djibouti but still had to do my DOT physical
You’re telling me you drove for 120 hours straight?
@@ViktoriousDeaday man don't you know truck drivers are famous for using speed 😂
💪🏻👍🏻🤗
@@surov8182don't be a prick
I went through the Warrant Officer course with Bryan Nichols. He was my gym buddy and an all around awesome guy. The fact that he was flying Tier 1 guys is a testament to his skill and ethic. RIP, brothers.
Thanks for this memorial Shawn. My thoughts and heart go out to all the warriors and thier families lost in this tragedy. RIP Chris Campbell.
This hit me hard, I’m a Brit & the story is so profound I feel like they were our own lads we lost. My wife is American & I love that country & it’s people!! Much love Shawn 😊
Thank you for the compassion. It’s terrible anytime that much human life is lost, especially men of that pedigree.
Thank you.❤❤
Ive been to london back in the 90s. Met some down to earth good hearted people there.
@@BUBBY.PLAISANCE..432Hz I’m from way up north of London.
R.I.P. To ALL of those Warriors. Rest Easy, Brothers. 🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Damn this really hurts from a distance. I can't imagine how they deal with this kind of tragedy. Prayers and great respect.
Well said and an accurate description of feelings that I couldn’t put words to. It hurts from a distance.
Imagine what the guys in Vietnam, Korea, WW1-2 deal or dealt with.
HWG my dad and uncles fought ww2. My namesake uncle died on Luzon, Manilla in 1945. My brother's was a corpman for marine unit in Viet, so i have heard a lot of stories. I'll be 70 soon and hope for these wars to end.
RIP KEVIN HOUSTON….The pictures of Kevin in the opening were awesome!! I really wish someone would talk about and tell Kevin’s story, from our little old Cape Cod to joining the most Elite Fighting Force in the world!!
Thank you for posting this today as a reminder to all the fallen on Extortion 17 on this day 12 years ago, August 6 2011. God Bless them and their friends, families and Brothers in arms, Damn few.
Shawn, your ability to just sit there and listen, is so underrated.
Shawn, my hat is off to you. You may have trained with some of those guys, but you maintained a strong, stone face. Which, in retrospect, may have allowed these men to speak from their hearts. I’m sure you have stories of your own, but you allow these brave men to relive their darkest moments without judgement, opinions, or comparisons. You’re awesome as an interviewer, and an awesome man. Thanks for what you do.
As an American I want to thank the fallen and their families for the ultimate sacrifice in protection and defense of our freedoms. Let their bravery and patriotism inspire future generations. May God hold them and keep you and let us never forget and always remember these true American heroes. 🙏
Whew. Heavy indeed. I wish I could fix this, somehow heal this trauma. ❤
Thank you for being someone worth dying for. DOL
@@doncookfishingadventures9589 Did you serve?
Yes
Amen! 🙏❤️🇺🇸
Knew Jonas and Rob from a young age. Two of the best men Ive ever known. Thanks Shawn for keeping this in the forefront. This country needs men like we lost that day. We need to remember them and honor that memory. And fuck the politicians who threw their lives away so callously.
Amen.....not a day goes by that I don't say Jonas's Name. He and his family were some of the most influential people in my life. It's hard to believe it's been 12 years.jonas made this world a better place. Godspeed Brother. B Tolar
Lord, The politicians soon coming up in the ranks must respond. Our nation must respond to the results of the 911 War on Terror just as we did on 911. This will help us at the top big time. Please and Thank you in Jesus name. Amen. Also, Please continue to bless this podcast and community. Please develop Mr. Ryan and his family, staff, friends, and clients with a great faith and all of the gifts of the Spirit as promised in your Word. In Jesus name I pray. Let your Will be done, Amen.
Not gonna lie, hearing these stories only makes me wanna join more. I wish I could express how valuable it is hearing the toughest guys on the planet, show such emotion about horrible situations like this. Can’t tell you how grateful I am for you sharing their stories Ryan 🙏🏼
how old are you? i wanna join aswell to create my own legacy im 24 atm
Don’t let it stop you. Only bit of advice is make sure you have a backup and don’t get disheartened if it doesn’t work out. The US military has the toughest standards just to enter so if something happens at MEPS don’t take it personally
I will never forget that day. I took the phone call and had to wake up the Commander to notify him.
Even though I already seen both interviews, it's still really tough to get through those parts. God Bless all of them and there families.
Shawn never interrupts and you can feel the emotion and investment in listening. Giving these men a pressure valve is great viewing and helps healing
Unleash the ventilation
He does a great interview. He holds any questions and just lets them talk it out… like no ones in the room. Robert earl is a great musician and an even better person. Would sing im coming home at the end of every deployment. The song will resonate something a little different now. Great job Shawn. Keep letting these heroes tell their stories.
Shawn, I really appreciate how you sit there quietly and let these men say what they need to say. I’m sure they appreciate it more than you know. We all do.
I will never forget the day my command received two of these Navy SEALs funeral honors request. I was the Honor Guard LPO at the time. 😢 This is gut wrenching to watch. Fair winds and following seas, RIP Shipmates
That moment when the most emotional part of the interview gets cut by an ad with a guy who may or may not be an enemy sympathizer. Rest in peace ALL of the warriors who lost their lives that day and throughout the entire Middle East conflict. God Bless America. And God Bless our Military
From a retired BMC, USCG, my utmost respect and salute to your whole community!
I have no words; just a sadness for the loss of such good men and the families, friends and fellow SEALs
All of these interviews have been hard to hear but we must hear them all. These folks are heroes and true warriors. No matter how much i am angry at our govt for all these unnessary wars we owe these folks more than a thank you. They earned any and all benefits for any help they need now. All vets lives matter more than ever. ❤
This tragedy changed my life. I was apart of the Dental Evidence Response Team stationed at Dover AFB.
Were the bodies intact for the most part?
Oh sweet Gods 😮 I don't doubt that at all. Prayers for you
Yes and No @@bravoactual2423
What makes this even sadder (if possible) is our reckless and dangerous retreat that left private citizens to rescue US citizens and our allies. Makes the sacrifice of these men so much more painful. My Marine (son) got to come home long before the pullout, but I tell you, I was no less angry and ashamed of our leadership.
Have you seen the testimony of the gold star families about the disaster pull out? It's hard to watch without getting completely crushed 😢 I'm glad you're son came home and I bet you raised a great son/man and I thank him for his service to this country and rest easy to the fallen 🙏🇺🇲
We should have never been there in the first place.
@@Lanny-io9biThere is absolutely no words to comfort those who lost loved ones over there, especially when the chicken shit draw down, (tuck tail and run) for those of us who served during GWOT, that withdraw was an insult to each one of us for the time, blood, sweat, tears and life missed with our children, and the dishonor I personally feel that's been cast unto me is unforgivable
@@MikeyD0you're wrong And tell that to all the Iraqis and Afghani people who's lives our involvement there made a significant impact for them and their way of life. Yes it's been smashed, but that's due to piss poor political garbage. If you've never seen that impact in person, seen the change in the lives of people, then you don't know what you're talking about. I went and would've died for my nation, but once there, you're damn right, I would've died for the goal of them building their nation where they could stand on their own.
@@jw5297 I did a tour in Afghanistan in 2003 and Iraq 2006 and yes I stand by my opinion that we should have never been there. We are a disgusting nation full of disgusting politicians and corporations. America very well may be one of the worst countries on the planet. We don’t care for our people and we send our people to die just so we can continue to fund the military contractors. Everyone we lost in the senseless wars lost their lives for nothing. They died for greed. You’re delusional if you think our presence did anything but cause turmoil. We spent 20 years there and changed nothing besides making them hate America more. We killed their fathers and now they’ve grown up with more hatred for America than their fathers had. Again, it was all for money and it’s shameful.
The people in our country don’t understand how good we have it because of the brave men and women who give their lives for our freedom
I miss the brotherhood. That’s probably why I like to watch these videos seeing others with the same feeling and seeing their solutions. These videos stir memories packed away in my head. Eddies train station analogy is accurate. Life goes forward and for me,the transition is easier if you don’t dig in your heels but to try to move with the current of society. MUCH RESPECT TO THESE GUYS
Cried a few times.. God bless all our military members, families, and loved ones. May we never forget to honor our fallen, amen.
Thank you. Some years ago I was in Arlington to visit the grave of my Uncle, a WWII Veteran. As my wife and I tried to find his site.....we came across Section 60. We saw a row of new markers. Then we saw the main Extortion grave. This retired Paratrooper was honored to Salute these Warriors.
We know why this happened. Politicians, top brass, and media were dropping too much information when they were bragging.
They too.. went to the crash site
Billy Vaughn wrote a book about it. Would be neat if Shawn got him on.
@@tnewell21 And get Joanie Marquez who was a Captain in the USAF. She was the Fire Control Officer aboard the circling AC-130 gunship that saw everything unfold on the ground. Even saw the two Taliban set up for the shot. The gunship was told to stand down.
So why where these guys taken out it seems fishy to me where was there support
@@challyho2u244 no idea. There are ties between bush family and bin laden family. Some good documentaries: "who killed John o'neil" "Loose change final cut" Read: tragedy and hope - Carroll Quigley. Fire in the minds of men - James h billington Foundations Their power and influence - Rene Wormser
This happened in my brigade's AO when I was there. I cried when both flights left FOB Shank for BAF carrying the fallen. I was so happy a few weeks later when they killed the the guy that fired the RPG that brought down Extortion 17. God speed to them
The RPG dude....How did they know it was him ? Probably had been bragging so much....
It was the cia that brought them down.
@@peterruiz6117yeah the dude was bragging about it on his phone, held a party to celebrate, U.S. forces picked up on it, tracked him down and blew him to pieces (literally)
I was at EBK in the valley. Sad day.
@peterruiz6117 yeah I was thinking the same thing. How would you know thats the exact guy who fired the rpg.
It’s a real gut check to see the realities our most devoted Patriots have to live with. My family and I send our prayers and can’t say enough how much we appreciate all of the sacrifices day in and day out for our freedom. 🙏🏽 Thank you.
I've been thanked for my service on Memorial Day.. which is for The Fallen.. 😳... Folks can't even get 2 days correct..
It’s just something people say bud. Same with calling everyone a hero.
Thank you for not forgetting and having these heroic men on to tell us this story.
I’ll never ever forget that event absolutely a travesty 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
You can sleep safely in your beds tonight because of these and other men. They lead by example and all of us should listen to them with the highest regard. They're fighting our corner while we carry on with mundane chores. God bless you lads and those that's passed over. Keep up the sterling work Shawn and thank you from all the Brits 🙏
Thank you for covering extortion 17. This was one of the most tragic losses in our nations history. Sadly most know nothing about it or understand that you can’t just replace men like that. I wear my extortion 17 memorial shirt from war fighter foundation every 4th of July and Anniversary honoring those great men. I remember them and my family will never forget those that paid the ultimate sacrifice, Salute. Prayers for all the family and brothers in arms.
As a british ex infantry vet, i had to meet my cuz body who was killed in Afghanistan. He was like me went to Afghanistan and Iraq. I appreciate your service mens sacrifice. I have lost 7 friends in Afghanistan and a family member too. Preys to the family.
Way to honor their memory and fighting through the pain.
I just lost my 72 year old brother who was in Vietnam for 6 years. He came home in pieces but the doctors put his body together, as for his mind he was broken. The nightmares every night, were unbearable at times. He would wake up fighting and screaming. What ever he went through fucked his life up. I hate wars and those who push them upon us. three of my brothers went to Vietnam and 2 came home and lived their lives, 1 made it back but never came home. You guys have the upmost respect from me for you service. I love you guys like brothers
Is it still today that we fight war only after our politicians have failed? Shouldn't we be seeing more of them volunteering stepping down with these then? That seems appropriate to me.
This is tough to watch and listen to, but is important to remind ourselves of the loss and the brotherhood and the sacrifice. God Bless.
Rest In Peace to our fallen heroes ❤. Thank you for your bravery and service to this country.
Thank you mr. Ryan for all that you an your team does bringing us these stories no other place I'd rather spend time with than family an you Patriots we ALL have to live the best lives possible so many never got to come home an live theirs .....THANK YOU
AMEN God Bless
These individuals sacrifice everything for us. Thank you to them and their families. May this day be set aside for them. RIP
Wow I wept throughout. Sharing these was a beautiful testimony to these precious men who were taken too soon. I praise God that we have men in America who are willing to serve our nation, and it is important for them to know America wept with you and sent up countless prayers.
I wish I could heal their trauma. ❤ Literally heartbreaking.
Gracias Señor Don Ryan . And to all your team and to all the warriors i love all you guys. * Que Dios los proteja siempre *
I heard a story that Lt. Murphy used to send his mom a message whenever he came home safely. Shortly after his burial ceremony her phone rings, she looks at it and her face loses color. It’s Lt. Murphy calling, someone else, I think, actually answers the phone for her and it’s Lt. Murphy having left a message that he was “home” [in heaven] safely. I can’t recall if it was a voice or text message, but Shawn you can definitely follow up on that story for better details/accuracy.
Im a civi and this got me choked up big time. Respect to the toughest of the tough in our military. ❤ from Michigan.
Thank you! _This_ episode will be important. Crazy coincidences some episodes ago I commented for Extortion 17 episode. Will dig into my folder and pick the research I have on Extortion 17 and take new notes during this episode. Great work Sean, and O7 navy, us army, usaf.
Why is it called extortion 17?
@@chriswertz1438that was the callsign of the chinook that was shot down
Coincidentally, the Ranger Platoon that was on the ground for Extortion 17 recovery was also the one responsible for Red Wings recovery. So thankfully a lot of experienced Ranger NCO's were on the ground for that operation.
“Tanto” Paronto responded to one of those missions but I don’t remember which one.
@@reaccionapuertorico Kris was a Ranger in the 90s. He wouldn't have been around for either. But he was 2/75 and the respondents to both instances were 2/75
REGIMENT DUDES---THANK YOU!!!!!!! Thank you for bringing them back!!!!! 😢😢😢😢❤❤❤
So much respect for these men and their community. God bless you all and always know that we real Americans know your worth and your value! We love our S.E.A.L.S and Spec Ops guys. No words can comfort this loss but always know we support you and love you. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, GENTLEMAN.
My heart bleeds for the man who struggles to keep his composure. As a civilian I hope he knows we appreciate everything they go through to no end.
🤌🏻👍🏻💪🏻❤️
May god bless everyone that was affected by this accident. They were great men and i am truly grateful for what they gave to this country. Let us never forget.
That's unbelievable. He said soon as a seal looses his life the paychecks stop immediately. Making situation worse an worse and fallen hero's family struggling to put food on table. I'm shocked when this seal said that. Fallen hero's should not have to be worried about finances during such horrible and devastating situations.
If I remember right, the gov shutdown happened right around that time. We lost two guys and their wives were told the death benefit, including transportation of their bodies, would be withheld and they were billed until the shutdown was lifted.
Just shows what the government really thinks about our military……it’s sad and so disrespectful. Our current government cares more about illegal immigrants than its own active military and veterans.
It’s the govt, they could really give a shi.
Rest Easy CPO's Brian Bill and Kevin Houston 😔
"It's better to have loved and lost rather than to never having loved at all..." But it still hurts even talking about it. Personally I'm really grateful that you guys took the time and the courage to share everything. Really thank you
Seriously courageous. Telling the story thru the anger. I'm angry, and I wasn't even there, or knew anyone that was there. I can only imagine. There will be retribution and vengeance.the ppl who made these foul decisions will be dealt with accordingly. It won't always be like this. Everything is all bass ackwards.
God bless and keep you all. It is hard to go on after losing your brothers in arms. As a cop, I’ve lost a few brothers and it never stops hurting. Thank you for the release of emotion. Thank you Shawn for keeping these men’s stories alive.
You should interview the Rangers on the ground that responded during their raid, they had to respond with multiple HVT’s they had just captured. My old Ranger 1st Sgt when I was in second batt was on that target. RIP to all that were lost that day
Can't imagine what this did to the Rangers who had to deal with the crash scene.and the body recovery. That is a mental picture that has to leave a mental scare.
@@mikechampion1614 they were already on target, they didn’t actually ask for backup, TOC kinda wanted to send in that team. They had multiple prisoners with them aswell and had to beat few to secure that crash site across one of the most heavily mined roads in the area
Wheww. Talk about nerve-racking.
He needs to have Nic Moore on the podcast.
@@dmichael7144Nic Moore. Do it !
This literally made me cry. I respect the hell out of anyone who has served our country. When on Twitter, I thank every vet I run across… their response is ALWAYS, “it was my honor”. I cannot think of any more humble people. My best to all of you.
I‘ve seen those interviews before and they were heartbreaking and eye-opening. On this specific date, August 6th, this special cut is a reason for me to think again about the sacrifice such brave men make/made for the free world and to honour it. Thank you for your service. My deepest respect. My condolence for the families, friends and comrades of the fallen soldiers. Shawn, your podcast and the work of Eddie Penney (which I got to know here) are the reason to overthink my fading faith and to reconnect with christianity. You set an example what it means to be a decent, honest and responsible man. I thank you from the deepest of my heart and wish you the best for your further work. God bless America, God bless you and your families. Greetings from Germany.
Wow very powerful! Thank you to all military members and families! Much respect to our Seals out there!
This takes me back to Mogadishu. Tears are in my eyes just listening to this.
Never forgotten, always appreciated. 6 Aug 2011 🇺🇸
Thank you Shawn (and everyone) for doing this podcast. These are memories that need to survive. Powerful message.
I've been watching these interviews for a while & I am so emotionally invested in these first-hand accounts. These are some of the toughest men you will ever meet & to be able to hear their memories & seeing the emotions, expressions & obvious horrors, pain & loss are openly displayed - it's impossible not to be moved. More ppl need to see these videos
Listening to comedy Helps.laughing heals the soul. This is something I found works for me. Hopefully this might help someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. Thank you for your service. God bless you all.
Already know this will make my blood boil…. :( but thank you for whoever helped make this happen!!!
Robert Reeves and Lou Langless were friends. I used to fly their para ops training missions in AZ. They’d stay at my place in Eloy. Rob gave me one of his optics for teaching him to BASE jump. I learned of Extortion 17 while I was living in Dubai, like taking a shot in the gut. Still think about those guys pretty much every day.
They both described their respective “roles”very aptly. I didn’t know the guys or their family, friends, buddies. However, I am forever grateful for what they did and what they sacrificed for us all. I never forget. 🙏🏼
When you guys feel unappreciated and alone- know you are loved by a grateful nation.
Thanks to all our American brothers for your service love and peace to you all from New Zealand 🇳🇿.
An extremely moving programme. To see such tough men in pieces is hard to watch. Our freedom is very precious, and incredibly hard won. We are so lucky that we still have men who are prepared to put their lives on the line for us. RIP and thank you to all from across the pond.
You know, I've done a little binge watching of your shows Shawn and I've come to the conclusion that anyone who wants to be in the military, putting their lives on the line, and that's what they will be doing, should watch as many of your programs as possible. Even those who aren't interesting in joining the military should watch your shows. I'll tell you why. War is made to look glamorous. Yes movies show deaths but not the full extent of how many actually lose their lives...the true reality of it. In movies and many books you won't really find the true nature of what it means to be in combat. There are so many things that are never taken into account and so many know absolutely what they are signing up for. Your shows present this in an unvarnished way that really puts it out there for all to see and learn from. The training, actual combat, mental and physical fatigue, death, near death, the psychological as well as the physical trauma one may very well go through, and the aftermath for many when they return home either due to injuries or retirement. It's a very serious matter for anyone wanting to enlist but they don't fully appreciate the extent of just how serious a matter it is. The question becomes, after listening to these interviews, for any desiring to enlist is, do you really want to enlist now knowing what you know? If so, good for them. If not, well, I think many would understand. Doesn't mean they are cowards. It means they've decided military isn't for them after all. I've a number of relatives who have served and gone to war. I've tried enlisting myself twice but wasn't accepted due to my health and yet even after hearing all I've heard, I'd still enlist to this day ( but know I've gotten to old). I worked for a guy who volunteered for 3 tours during the Vietnam war...he was a paratrooper. Had part of his foot shot off during his last jump. I think it's a sorry state when those who come back are struggling as they do and can't get the help they really need. That is not taking care of our vets. This nation should have already had something in place to help these folks who need it and help them in a tangible way so they don't have to take drugs to get through. They give them resources to fight and kill but what about resources to help handle the trauma that many experience during and after their courageous service?! My heart goes out to them and their families because their families suffer as well during that time. These folks who've served have my respect and especially those who've gone thru actual combat. It's good for our young folks to join the military but they should at least know what they may well be stepping into. It ain't all peaches and cream and they need to fully understand the implications of their decision. And those who've never served, they need to hear these stories and perhaps they'd better appreciate and understand what our veterans and active service members go through. God bless each service member, active or retired, and keep each one safe. As a civilian, I salute you!
THANK ALL MEN & WOMEN WHO SERVICE THIS COUNTRY PRAYING FOR ALL WHO DIE FOR FREEDOM 🙏🙏✝️✝️
I am so honored to see this. You sir are a class above the rest
As an Army Veteran, I feel the pain! Losing your brothers in combat will never be easy! Those MEN will never be forgotten! EVER! 🙏🏽🇺🇸😔
I can’t stop crying 😢God Bless the men and women that protect Our Country 🙏
You got to say goodbye, you got a form of closure. For regular line units that loose their buddies in combat they are picking up the pieces, usually while under fire, & loading them into a Humvee, to be evacuated to medical, never to be seen again. Funerals happen while you're still in a combat zone & there's never a formal goodbye. After I retired I took a goodbye road trip. Went to the graves, laid flowers, & begged forgiveness. It took 10 years for me to be able to do that. God bless all those that sacrificed. God bless all those that survived.
I cannot even fathom the bravery of these men ❤
Thank you for the small glimpse of sacrifice these guys go through. Heart wrenching. Shawn you rock man, this platform is more than needed on so many levels.
Oh my heart aches 😢💔😢 tears flow 😢 My dad served USAF 30 years...WWII, KOREAN 2X AND VIETNAM....he passed 11/21/2013 from A/O VIETNAM complications 😢 I LOVE ALL MY MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN...ALL BRANCHES 🇺🇸 God bless you for fighting for FREEDOM AND LIBERTY 🇺🇸💖 Hugs 🤗 love 💖 n prayers 🙏 for all the families🙏 Texas Nana 🤠 Psalm 91 (Ordered "UNAFRAID".... thank you EDDIE... 8/6/2023)
One of your best shows Shawn, this one kicked me in the gut. I am eternally grateful for those who served, because I could not. Thank you for sharing these stories. They need to be shared.
Thank you Shawn. I get mega pissed because it seems like no one cares about this, so this helps me, thank you. I get constantly amazed how few people, even in the navy remember or even know about this.
To all those good men we lost RIP 🙏🇺🇸
I cried that day and I'm crying now , God Bless 🙏
I cried during most of this episode, yet I kept watching. Thank you Shawn..
These are superheroes and me they will never die. Warriors of are history that deserve to be remembered forever.
The work you’re doing on this channel is amazing, seriously every person in America should watch your show
Watching Penny breakdown is very powerful there is nothing absolutely nothing wrong with a man showing his emotions
Shit still stings, as well brings tears. I remember quite a bit. God bless. Thank you shawn.
This is so important and meaningful for the men who remember brotherhood. The healing continues to come as you do this work Shawn. Thanks for sharing !!!
Never forget these warriors and the ones left to bare the scars. Prayers for these men and their families.
I'm truly sorry for the loss of your brothers!!! I'm also humbled by the care and support you all give each other and your families. If I may, I believe the rainbow was them saying thank you and letting you know they are at peace. Thank you all!
pumped for this. highly recommend the WARMODE podcast's extortion 17 episode with michael strange's father, one of the men killed that day.
The was truly a tough one. Thank you soldiers and bless you and your families. Shawn thanks for putting these personal stories together and sharing these interviews.
"Paycheck ends" thats completely BS! These men and women are our hero's! Real hero's. That paycheck should continue forever for their families.
100%. We have the budget for it. What a disgrace.
This truly shatters my heart every time I hear this story. May God watch over these families. God bless these warriors and the community