Story Of Missing Soldier’s Capture And Rescue in Iraq

Getting Serious

Finally, Jessica needed to prove herself with actions. Thus, her family met with an army recruiter. She was only 17 at the time and still in high school. Even her mom commented on how honest the recruiter was, “He said there was always the possibility of war in the future.” Though Jessica added, “at that time it was before September 11, and there was no terrorism, so we were like, ‘that would never happen to me.’” Little did she know, not only would she see combat, but an ambush would lead to her capture.

Getting Serious

Words of Wisdom

Gregory Lynch, Jessica’s dad, worked as a truck driver. He would always repeat to his daughter that if there was something she was unable to do, she must try to prove others wrong. Jessica took these words to heart during her service. Many doubted how well she would perform in the Army. Despite others’ doubt, she enlisted upon graduating. Actually, her older brother even left college to follow in her footsteps! These words would prove more useful to Jessica than she imagined at the time.

Words Of Wisdom

Everything Changed

Things changed dramatically after the attacks of September 11th. Only about two weeks after, Jessica left for South Carolina to begin her training. Despite the horrific attacks that month, Jessica never seriously considered the possibility of war, let alone her role in combat. Thus, her course in the Army and life changed from that moment.

Everything Changed

Training Time

After completing basic training, she moved onto Advanced Individual Training, or AIT. This would prepare her for Military Occupational Specialty. Since Jessica was training to become a supply specialist, she underwent her training in Fort Lee, Virginia at the Quartermaster Corps. She never realized her time in the Army would go much beyond this ordinary service.

Training Time

Calm Before the Storm

From there, Jessica was stationed at Texas’ Fort Bliss. Actually, Fort Bliss is the military’s second largest installation. They use the fort for artillery testing. Here, she developed more business oriented skills. Little did she know, war was in the near future. At the end of 2002, Jessica extended her service time by four more years.

Calm Before The Storm

War Becomes Reality

Only three months later, the war became reality. Prepared to serve her country, Jessica was shipped to Iraq with the 507th Maintenance Company. Ranking Private First Class, Jessica went straight into the conflict. Soon into her time there, she took part in an incident that forever changed her life. Somehow, she managed to end up in the middle of what became the Battle of Nasiriyah!

War Becomes Reality

Wrong Turn

It all happened back on March 23rd, 2003. On that very day, she was travelling in a Humvee convoy, performing normal supply clerk duties. Unfortunately, an issue with the navigation sent the convoy on a wrong turn. They ended up in Nasiriyah led by Captain Troy King, a supply officer, who unfortunately never was trained for combat. Once they went through the checkpoint by the Euphrates River, they noticed Iraqi vehicles following closely.

Wrong Turn

A Little Too Late

By the time the Captain realized they should leave this unchartered area, it was too late. Their enemies noticed them and had been following close behind. Before they knew it, the enemies began firing at them.

A Little Too Late

Battle Ensues

Next, the Iraqis fired a rocket-propelled grenade at their convoy, causing them to crash with a truck. What started with a wrong turn became an hour and a half battle. The convoy was forced to break into three. Luckily, the first two groups made it safely through. Unfortunately, the third group did not fare so well. 11 Americans died in the battle, but Jessica survived.

Battle Ensues

Seriously Injured and Missing

Even though Jessica survived, she sustained severe injuries. With a wound to her head and a broken back, Jessica was not in great condition. After the ambush, she was listed as missing or M.I.A., which stands for missing in action. Her close friend, Lori, and four others were also missing. Pfc. Lori Piestewa had been driving the Humvee. Once Jessica awoke, she knew she was an enemy prisoner.

Seriously Injured And Missing

Not Planned

Since the original plan of the convoy was to detour the town, the attack most likely was not planned. The convoy had turned into the town and then was ambushed. Thus, the ambush could not have been planned beforehand since the Iraqis didn’t know this convoy would mistakenly drive into the town.

Not Planned

Proof of Torture

Along with some other members from her convoy, Jessica became a prisoner of war. She was held in the Saddam Hospital there in Nasiriya due to her injuries. This hospital had been converted into a base during the war. Unfortunately, Lori was unable to overcome her injuries and passed away in the hospital. Apparently, the Iraqis filmed their prisoners and broadcasted this footage worldwide. This evidence confirmed that POWs were tortured.

Proof Of Torture

Unlikely Aid

Doctors and other staff at the hospital told one version of Jessica’s time there. They spoke of protecting her, but others begged to differ of the harsher reality. In fact, a lawyer named Mohammed Odeh al Rehaief witnessed the horrible treatment of Jessica and decided to act. He even witnessed one Iraqi slapping her face and he said, “My heart stopped. I knew then I must help her be saved.” He bravely put his own life on the line for her.

Unlikely Aid

Mohammed al Rehaief’s Story

Apparently, al Rehaief had to walk around six miles to inform the American soldiers of Lynch’s wherabouts. Once he spoke to the Marines at the checkpoint, they sent him back to gather more intel. According to al Rehaief, he came back to the checkpoint with maps of the hospital’s security and general layout in addition to shift schedules.

Mohammed Al Rehaief’s Story

Varying Reports

Many of the reports about Jessica’s time in captivity seem to contradict one another. Apparently, despite one report of al Rehaief’s wife working as a nurse there, this was not true. Though, hospital staff did confirm al Rehaief himself was there. Yet, doctors still claimed Jessica was treated very well during her time there. In fact, Jessica confirmed this herself, adding that a nurse comforted her by singing.

Varying Reports

Secret Informant

Thus, al Rehaief was one of several informants that the US military used. After confirming the location of Lynch, US officials trained an anonymous person. Many believe it was al Rehaief. Anyway, this informant was even CIA trained with a hidden recording device. Thus, this person was able to film the hospital on the day of the raid, including Lynch’s room.

Secret Informant

Rescue Mission

On April 1 of 2003 the famous rescue took place. In order to divert attention, the Marines and some Navy SEALs besieged Iraqi soldiers to free the hospital. While they dreww them away, a special task force raided the hospital.

Rescue Mission

The Rescue

Thankfully, a special force team came to the rescue in April, 2003. American troops stormed the hospital and brought Jessica to an air base in Germany. They wasted no time attempting to fix her injuries. She was even taken to a recovery center near D.C. called the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Before long, the story of the hospital rescue spread across the nation.

The Rescue

Debunking Conspiracy Theories

Although rumors spread that the task force knew the Iraqis had previously fled the location, this theory has been debunked. The conspiracy theory says the raid was staged and the Americans used blanks, not real bullets. However, weapons experts have proved that there is no evidence of blanks when reviewing the footage.

Debunking Conspiracy Theories

Doctor Reveals Truth

The day after the rescue mission, the Pentagon chose to release their footage. Yet, they also claimed Lynch sustained wounds from bullets and even stabbings. This is something both Lynch and the doctors adamently protest. When Iraqi doctors and even nurses commented, they described Lynch’s only injuries as ones from the crash. Dr. Harith Al-Houssona said her injuries were normal ones from someone who suffered from vehicle crash. His account was even confirmed at a later date by a leaked report that came to to the public in July that year.

Doctor Reveals Truth

Retrieving The Victims

During the intense rescue mission, a total of eleven American bodies were recovered. Two came from the morgue and the other nine were found in a gravesite cloe by. Using forensics, they identified the bodies and all of the deceased soldiers were awarded Purple Hearts.

Retrieving The Victims

Getting Treatment

After being taken to Kuwait, they transported Jessica off to a medical center in Germany. Of course, they made sure to keep her sedated during the flight over. In Germany she was reunited with her family. She needed surgery on her back in order to fix a vertebra that was affecting her whole spinal cord. That would be far from the last surgery she would need.

Getting Treatment

Inaccuracies of the Post Reporting

Many pointed to the Washington Post report for spreading misinformation about the event. The published report from the Post came out April 3 in 2003. In their account, they claimed Lynch was stabbed in addition to being hit multiple times by bullets. Yet, doctors found no evidence of this. Also, they cited a U.S. official for the information that she fought to the death and even killed Iraqi soldiers. Of course, she came out later and denied these claims.

Inaccuracies Of The Post Reporting

Coming to America

Once Jessica Lynch returned, a huge crowd greeted her in her home of West Virginia. This crowd included her fiance at the time, Army Sergeant Ruben Contreras. They later separated. Meanwhile, Mohammed Odeh al-Rehaief had a group of friends in the same state advocating for him.

Coming To America

Refugee Status

Due to his role in the rescue of Lynch, the United States granted Mohammed and his family refugee status. Washington D.C. and the rest of America continued to celebrate him. Al Rehaief even published a book, Because Each Life Is Precious for $150,000 in October 2003.

Refugee Status

Hospital Support

During her stay at the hospital, so many gifts and flowers poured in that she requested cards instead. Then, her family asked for donations to charity in lieu of gifts. Finally, after over three months, she was released in late July.

Hospital Support

Potential Threat

Now, here’s where it gets a bit complicated. On one hand, the doctors claimed they were gathered at gunpoint. Yet, the special force members continually insisted they only did what was necessary for the situation in order to free the prisoners. Also, doctors argued that all the local Iraqi troops cleared out before the raid, thus there was no one there resisting the Americans.

Potential Threat

Historical Moment

Jessica’s rescue was the first American POW rescue since Vietnam! In addition, she became the first woman to be rescued after being captive during an American war. Clearly, this moment was a groundbreaking one. No wonder the media got a bit carried away.

Historical Moment

POW Footage

Apparently, video footage of American POWs was seen worldwide due to its broadcasting on Al Jazeera TV. Lynch’s close friend Piestewa was on the footage. Then, additional footage that included Lynch and Piestewa, before her death, was found at the Iraqi hospital.

POW Footage

Price of A Hero

Afterwards, the media seemed to embellish the story a bit. Jessica became this American hero who had fired nonstop until using every bullet she had. For her heroism, the Army gave her the Bronze Star, POW medals and the Purple Star. Once released from the recovery center, the media hounded her. Jessica made a million dollar book deal for her biography titled, I Am A Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story. Not everyone was pleased with the tell-all of her time in Iraq.

Price Of A Hero

Confusing Details

Something was not quite right…Readers could not understand why some details in her book seemed off. As mentioned, there were reports that no Iraqi troops were in the hospital when the American military arrived. Yet, some reports said the hospital staff attempted to get Jessica back to the American soldiers before this intense raid.

Confusing Details

Fake News

In The Washington Post front page article we mentioned, they claimed Jessica had continuously fired even after being wounded. It stated, “Lynch, a 19-year-old supply clerk, continued firing at the Iraqis even after she sustained multiple gunshot wounds and watched several other soldiers in her unit die around her.” Then the article even quoted an anonymous source who said, “she was fighting to the death…She did not want to be taken alive.” In response, Jessica claimed the media was showing an inaccurate image of her.

Fake News

Speaking Out

After all this attention, she chose to speak out. It did not feel right for others to label her a hero. Once she fully recovered, Jessica felt she must dismiss the false claims. Surprisingly, she revealed to the world the real story.

Speaking Out

Setting the Record Straight

Her public address would hopefully clear up all the confusion. In late April of 2007, Lynch testified at Congress to clear her name. She explained that her M16 rifle jammed and she was unconscious from the impact of the crash. Jessica explained, “I did not shoot, not a round, nothing. I went down praying to my knees. And that’s the last I remember.” Thus, she felt she was not the hero others saw her to be.

Setting The Record Straight

Her Statement

Lynch testified at the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to not only reclaim her story, but call out the Pentagon. She claimed that it was due to the Pentagon, that her story blew up into the fabricated tale of heroism that it had become. Lynch stated, “I had the good fortune and opportunity to come home and to tell the truth; many soldiers did not have that opportunity. The truth of war is not always easy. The truth is always more heroic than the hype.”

Her Statement

Giving Thanks

She fought back against the unfair portrayal, telling the congressional committee, “I am still confused as to why they chose to lie and tried to make me a legend when the real heroics of my fellow soldiers that day were, in fact, legendary.” Instead of self-praise, she cited others, “people like Patrick Miller and Sergeant Donald Walters who actually fought until the very end. The bottom line is the American people are capable of determining their own ideals of heroes and they don’t need to be told elaborate tales.”

Giving Thanks

Spreading Lies

False accounts spanned beyond traditional media. As we mention, the Pentagon’s endless campaign to promote her story as an American war hero upset Jessica. She spoke out, “It does [bother me] that they used me as a way to symbolize all this stuff. It’s wrong.” She added that in addition to spreading false accounts, there was no need for them to film the rescue.

Spreading Lies

Fallen Friend

Unfortunately, all of this coverage came at a high cost. All of the talk of Jessica as a war hero meant other soldiers involved were not mentioned. Including her own friend Lori, there were dead soldiers who were not being honored in the same way. In fact, one other soldier, Shoshana Johnson, had been captured as well and many claimed her story was disregarded due to her identity as a black woman. Actually, Lori came from Native American decent. Some felt that the media chose to focus on Jessica because of her looks as a blonde hair, blue eyed Caucasian female.

Fallen Friend

Her Book

In her interiew with Diane Sawyer, she talked about her book with Rick Bragg and its purpose, “to let everyone know my side of the story…the soldiers who were beside me in that war and the soldiers that are still over there.”

Her Book

False Claims

Even Jessica’s biographer added some controversial details into the mix. Rick Bragg, a Pulitzer Prize-winner, told the public that one can infer abuse due to Jessica’s medical records and from looking into some of her particular injuries. Yet, Jessica begged to differ. She spoke out once again, to say she had no memory of anything related to abuse and, “adamantly opposed to including the claim in the book.” Despite her direct words, Bragg stayed firm, saying, “people need to know that this is what can happen to women soldiers.” What’s next? Will Bragg fabricate lies of cosmetic surgery? Not quite.

False Claims

Criticism

It isn’t all fan mail for the new celebrity. Jessica also receives angry, hate mail. In these aggressive letters, people accuse her of lying and exaggerating her hero status. This all hit her pretty hard, “I was captured, but then I was OK and I didn’t go down fighting. OK, so what?” She added more about the struggle to be believed, “It was really hard to convince people that I didn’t have to do any of that. That I was injured, that I still needed comfort.” Can you imagine dealing with the aftermath, emotionally and physically, while still trying to clear your name?

Criticism

Coping With Grief

Perhaps, the hardest part was coping with the death of her best friend. Jessica really admired Lori Piestewa. Lori’s death still affects her today, “I still don’t cope well, to this day, with losing Lori. I still don’t understand. Why did they kill her and not me? Why am I here, and not her? The therapist is helping me, telling me to focus on the memories.”

Coping With Grief

Continuing On

All the negativity no longer gets her down! Post Army life for Jessica includes two degrees from the University of West Virginia. Lucky for Jessica, her tuition cost her nothing. Thus, she finally got to work towards teaching like she dreamed of as a teen.

Continuing On

Finding Love

At last, Jessica found someone to share her life with and move on from her traumatic past. Her aunt introduced her to Wes Robinson, a factory worker, at a Christmas party in 2005. She remembers when things started looking up, “I met the man of my dreams, and I wanted this family. I wanted this life. I didn’t want to be a just a broken soldier with nothing.”

Finding Love

Starting a Family

Not only did she pursue education, she started a loving family with Wes. In 2007, she and Wes Robinson welcomed a daughter. She even named her daughter Dakota Anna after her deceased friend, Lori.

Starting A Family

Physical Therapy

After the insane ordeal Jessica underwent in Iraq, she needed serious care. This wasn’t simple like a minor cosmetic surgery. Far from easy cosmetic surgery, Jessica needed many more procedures. Yet, this intense road to recovery didn’t prove to be unconquerable for her. Over the last fifteen years, she continually pushed herself to reach the best level of physical shape. Together with a physical therapy team, they have helped heal injuries and mend her broken back. Jessica spoke on the importance of this part of her journey, “Physical therapy is my second home. It has helped me through everything. Overall I’ve had, I think, up to 22 surgeries because of the internal damaged that I suffered, along with the nerve damage and the broken back.”

Physical Therapy

Aftermath

Although she has overcome a lot, there is still severe pain Jessica must learn to cope with. She has endured through 22 surgeries since the incident. Not only must she deal with the physical aftermath, but Lynch endures emotional trauma as well. Like many soldiers, she suffers from PTSD. Actually, twelve years after her capture, she had a breakdown that left her bedridden. Luckily, she sought the help she needed.

Aftermath

Lasting Nightmares

Her nightmares about that traumatic day still haunt her. Sometimes she will see anonymous Iraqis chasing her in the thick of the woods. Once they reach out, she awakes, drowning in sweat. Over the years, these nightmares have varied but Lynch continues to fight them. She said, “I try to dream about peaceful things, beaches. That is what I cannot understand. Why are they chasing me?”

Lasting Nightmares

Average American

At first, she felt hesitant to speak on her time in Iraq. Despite this hesitation, she wore a foot brace to her classes in college. She just hoped to blend in and prove to people she was ordinary. Jessica remarked, “I want people to remember me as being a soldier who went over there and did my job. Nothing special. I’m just a country girl at heart.”

Average American

Words Hurt

Much of her pain came from the spread of lies and not simply her own PTSD or physical recovery. Words from the media and public really affected her as she said, “That’s been one of my biggest struggles is handling the whole criticism that has come with the backlash of the stories that were created — these fabricated stories. I want to make sure that the people that deserve the credit get the credit, not me who was knocked unconscious and didn’t get to fire off a shot.”

Words Hurt

Following Her Dream

Before enlisting, Jessica promised herself to pursue a career in teaching afterwards. She said, “I wanted to go to college and be a teacher. I’m all about kids. I’ve always wanted that. I was meant for that and I was going to have it.” Nothing could stop her!

Following Her Dream

Full Circle

So yes, we all remember how Jessica joined the Army in order to pursue a teaching career. Don’t worry, things came full circle in 2011. At the age of 28, Lynch earned her education degree from West Virginia University. In fact, she completed her student-teacher requirement at her very own elementary school in West Virginia! Now, she works as a part time substitute. Therefore, she has the flexibility to do what works best for her. Plus, a full time job would be too harsh on her body.

Full Circle

New Found Passion

Well, even though she followed her initial dreams and became a teacher, turns out she found a new passion. Lynch actually earns her living from motivational speaking! Despite suffering from PTSD, she has overcome so much on her journey and uses this to inspire others.

New Found Passion

Extraordinary Optimism

It would be easy for anyone to suffer as Lynch has and then become discouraged. Not Lynch! She continues to stay positive and optimistic about life. She hopes to inspire others with this approach, “Most people want to hear my story, hear about what happened. I keep it general. I feel that people don’t want to hear all that stuff. They want to hear the positive stuff.”

Extraordinary Optimism

Mother/Daughter Bonding

Now, all of her amazing accomplishments and determination shine through her daughter. Doctors told Jessica she could not have kids because of the severity of internal damage. Once again, Jessica proved others wrong. While she travels around the country giving lectures about her life, she brings along Dakota. How sweet!

Mother/Daughter Bonding

Respecting Privacy

Though she travels around giving talks about her life, her family is not nearly as public. In fact, no one is permitted to enter her 80 acre property but her family. Her parents and partner Wes do not speak with the media.

Respecting Privacy

Movie Appearance

Recently, she starred in a drama movie. Her role as Specialist Summer L. Gabriel was loosely based on her very own time in the war. Jason Campbell had specifically sought her out for Virtuous (2014). He hoped for her to use inspiration from real life.

Movie Appearance

Inspiring Youth

Lynch gained a mass following throughout the country. Many were touched by her story and many children sent in fan mail. One young twelve year old named Candice Malone from Virginia even wrote a touching poem on the Jessica Lynch Forums page.

Inspiring Youth

Poetic Tribute

Here is the poem from one of Jessica’s young fans…

Dear Jessica this poem is for you.

An American hero
Jessica from what I hear you are really cool, I also hear you want to be a teacher at an Elementary school.
You left your country to fight in danger, you were trying to free people who were filled with anger.
You are now all over TV you have become an American hero, when I compare you to any superhero in the world you win 10 to 0

Poetic Tribute