WAR IN AFGHANISTAN: THOMAS GORDON BOSTICK

look, i’ve got a lot to say about the fiasco in AFGHANISTAN right now. my emotions right now are a mix of anger, sadness, disappointment, and resentment— it feels shameful to watch the video footage coming out of the country. it’s insulting to watch the taliban flying american aircraft while simultaneously chanting ‘death to america.’ the anger sets in when you’re reminded that every local INTERPRETER, every afghani who worked with americans now has a bounty on his head— and they will be killed. the absolute worst part of it all is the lack of responsibility taken by the current ADMINISTRATION to make this right— this is saigon, 1975.

i feel empty inside— i am PRIVILEGED enough to live in the greatest country in the world, yet we that same country has let the world down. as we’re too busy fighting a culture war on us soil, our enemies feel emboldened to further their terrorist reign, taking innocent lives in the process. i remember that attack on us soil. i watched those towers come down. growing up in a post 9/11 world has never given me a first hand EXPERIENCE of a pre 9/11 world— one where the surveillance state was non-EXISTENT, and our civil liberties weren’t eroded.

jack carr wrote an incredible blog post on his time spent in country— it pretty much sums up my exact feelings on the 20 year long conflict that took 2,420 american lives. for the rest of this week, we’re gonna honor some of those men who never came home.

Thomas Gordon Bostick

DATE OF BIRTH: December 8, 1969

PLACE OF BIRTH:

San Diego, California

HOME OF RECORD:

Llano, Texas

Distinguished Service Cross

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING: Global War on Terror

Service: Army

Battalion: Troop B

CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Thomas Gordon Bostick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as the Commanding Officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, on 27 July 2007 in Afghanistan. When he was advised by friendly foreign forces that an enemy element was approaching his position, Major Bostic rapidly employed mortar fire and close air support on the approaching enemy to suppress them. While directing fire, his position came under enemy small arms fire, nevertheless, he continued to direct fire until the enemy was defeated. When the immediate threat was neutralized, Major Bostic maneuvered his quick reaction force to a forward position to retrieve three casualties. After a lull in the battle, the enemy reinforced their attack and engaged Major Bostick and the forward elements from three sides. Once again, he employed direct and indirect fire on the enemy positions and enabled the lead element to begin to move to more defensible positions. As the fire on his position intensified, Major Bostick positioned himself between the enemy and his own exposed Soldiers who were navigating the mountainous terrain and engaged the enemy with accurate fire. While in this exposed position and under continuous small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, he was mortally wounded. Major Bostick's selfless actions ensured his Soldiers had sufficient time to retreat through the hazardous terrain in order to seek cover and survive the attack. Major Bostick's actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.