Category Archives: Matador

We Happy Few

June 19, 2018 ajaxtrueblood Leave a comment

CroftandScott — Cpl Michael Croft (right) with Scott Hauslyak (left) after Operation Matador, May 2005. Scott was wounded during the operation, when a suicide bomber struck his vehicle.

Recently I had a chat session with Michael Croft, who was a forward observer (FO) with 3/2’s Weapons Company, but was attached to the Fire Support Team in Kilo Company for most of the deployment. He was involved in most of the major operations, and saw a lot of unpleasant stuff. He mentioned that he thought the book should have more reflections of the extremely close bonds that the Marines forged with each other, and that is great feedback. I can see that is something I can work on, to give more depth and meaning to the book.

When I asked Michael to describe those bonds, here’s what he shared. I’m posting it here (with his permission), to hopefully generate some more thoughts from other 3/2 Marines… Also, I have a specific question about the “We Happy Few” phrase (from the famous speech by Henry V in Shakespeare’s play). Was it a common phrase in 3/2? How did it start?

Anyway, here’s what Michael Croft says about the bonds of brotherhood:

When we would go through something like seeing those kids dead or the AAV hitting that mine and catching on fire and Marines burning to death, it would really shake us. I personally remember after seeing those kids dead, I stood up on the balcony of that house and just stared out in the distance for a while feeling empty inside. We didn’t have anybody but each other to lean on in those moments and the fight didn’t stop so that we could feel upset about what had happened so it was the brothers beside us that would pull us out of those moments of shock and remind us that they needed us to push through so we could do our jobs in order to make sure the next time we saw bodies on the floor it wasnt one of our own.

I remember after a major tragedy would happen, 1st Sgt. Gregory would always notice who was feeling it the most and would make it a point to make sure they were OK. Knowing that in the midst of battle and seeing the horrifying stuff we would see, that the guys beside us had our back and were not judging us even if we had tears running down our face created a type of bond I have yet to achieve with anybody else since, and those bonds are still just as strong today. Even though physical distance may separate us now, I would still jump on a grenade for any of my brothers from back then.

I remember a quote that went around a lot during that deployment was “We few, we happy few”, and it was perfect for the type of brotherhood that is created from the type of battles we fought in. It’s how you get a young kid to be the first to go into a house where he knows insurgents are waiting for him. That bond makes him want to sacrifice himself so that the other men behind him live. –Michael Croft, chat session with author

I’d love to hear more thoughts about this from other Marines. Please contact me if you have something to add.

–Ajax

Update (20jun18): I did get a response about the Shakespeare quote,
“Comment: “We few, we happy few.” A quote that would stick with me for a very long time. A brotherhood that will never be broken. We are indestructible. And yet so vulnerable… We were fighting ghosts. And sometimes that still haunts me.”

3/2 Marines, Kilo, Matador, Operation Matador, Ubaydi, Warpig

Operation Matador: Report from the Front

May 10, 2018 ajaxtrueblood Leave a comment

This popped up on Facebook today. It’s letter from LtCol Tim Mundy, 3/2 Battalion Commander, to families and other members of the community back home…

Operation MATADOR report from the front (19may05)
From LtCol Mundy in Al Qaim:

Friends and families, I think it was Mark Twain who once said, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” Thankfully Mr. Twain is not running this Task Force, chasing the enemy, or keeping you updated of all that’s going on. From the news reports of last week, many of you are aware of what happened during Operation MATADOR and now know why you did not receive that Mother’s Day call from your son or husband–they were out showing the world why there is no better friend and no worse enemy than a United States Marine. As their Commanding Officer, I wanted to personally share with you why I’m so intensely proud of YOUR Marines and Sailors of Task Force 3/2.

Operation MATADOR was a great success. It was my privilege to lead the men of Task Force 3/2 into enemy territory to conduct combat operations against anti-coalition forces situated along, and north of, the Euphrates River. During the weeklong operation, I saw our Marines and Sailors conduct themselves with the height of honor, depth of courage, and breadth of commitment indicative of the world’s finest warriors. I couldn’t be prouder of these men and all they accomplished. I know you must feel the same.

Let me explain why this operation was necessary:

The war on the terrorists came late to Al Qa’im. This area is isolated by distance and cultural idiosyncrasies from central Iraq . For centuries, this has been a corrupt trade route area on the Euphrates. For decades, not even Saddam Hussein truly controlled the crime, corruption, and disloyalties. This abnormal, different area became the natural safe haven for some foreign fighters. They transit the area and use it as a staging ground for insurgency and terrorist actions in other areas of the country. We didn’t have a good ability to cross to the north side of the Euphrates and stay for longer than a raid. In the last six to eight months, the foreign fighter presence and activity grew in the area north of the river. Task Force 3/2 is situated in the midst of this volatile area, and believe me, none of your sons, brothers, husbands and/or fathers shrink from the challenges we find because of it! There is a dangerous enemy here, but your Marines and Sailors know their jobs, and they do them well, so we can handle the threats.

Our RCT headquarters planned offensive operations under the name MATADOR to clear the area of insurgents and to prove to the foreign fighters that they had no safe haven north of the river. Your men proved just that! We were joined in the fight by several units: Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion and Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25 th Marines. While we have always been superior in individual fights in the area, we increased the strength of the Task Force to clear through the strongholds in the north and maintain security in the south.

Our two rifle companies, Kilo Company 3/2 and Lima Company 3/25, reinforced by one Warpig mobile platoon fought bravely with entrenched insurgents in the towns of Ubaydi and Ramana. Their tenacity to take the fight to the enemy resulted in a significant number of enemy kills and captures, thereby hampering enemy ability to move at will in this region.

Bravo Company, 2D LAR and Alpha Company, 4th AAV provided protection on our flanks, much need flexibility in the field of battle, as well as the ability to quickly move large numbers of our men across enemy territory. The men of India provided a blocking position in support of the operation, and also continued their fight around Camp Gannon , while the Warpigs of Weapons Company also manned the key blocking position as well as provided effective fire support during the entire operation.

Needless to say, there were many moments of fierce fighting. Many Marines demonstrated heroism and accomplished extraordinary feats. I don’t need to provide details of firefights — trust me when I say your men performed as I expect them to perform when they carry the title of United States Marine. They were awesome! As we continue our mission in this region, we humbly ask for your prayers and thank you for the faithful support you’ve given this Task Force. We could not do what we do without all of you.

Our thoughts are also with the friends and families of the 9 Marines who died protecting their brothers in arms. I held a memorial service in their honor Sunday evening, 15 May in the orange light of a setting sun. These are the names of our fallen comrades:

SSgt Anthony L. Goodwin, RCT-2, attached to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
SSgt Kendall H. Ivy II, RCT-2, attached to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
Cpl Dustin A. Derga, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
LCpl Lawrence R. Phillippon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines
LCpl Wesley G. Davids, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
LCpl Nicholas B. Erdy, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
LCpl Jonathan W. Grant, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines
LCpl Jordan L. Grez, 4th Combat Engineer BN, attached to Lima Company, 3/25 BN
PFC Christopher R. Dixon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines

There really is no greater love than he who lays his life down for his friends. They lived as warriors, died heroes, and will forever be honored. May God bless their memories and comfort their families. We also had wounded Marines who will require, in some cases, lengthy recovery times. Keep them and their families in your prayers as well, as we wish for a full recovery and return to 3/2.

I’ve said this once before and it bears repeating: Mail and care packages from home continue to be a weekly highlight for our men. Anything you send from home reminds us of your love and support and really boosts morale. The generosity of all who’ve given does not go unnoticed.

LtCol Tim Mundy

3/2 Marines, Kilo, Matador, Ubaydi

A hard day

May 8, 2018 ajaxtrueblood 1 Comment

The 8th of May is a hard day for the families of three Marines who lost their lives during Operation Matador, in New Ubaydi, in 2005. It was the first day of the operation and a Sunday. And that Sunday was Mother’s Day.

It was also a hard day for many of the Marines who were there that day, fighting alongside their brothers in strange and dangerous place. Some of them still struggle with their memories of that day.

LCpl Lawrence (Larry) Philippon, from Kilo Company, 2nd Plt, was killed during house-to-house fighting as Kilo Company cleared New Ubaydi. He was an exemplary Marine, a leader in his platoon, who had pushed to get combat duty.

According to an article in his hometown newspaper, Larry was a star athlete in high school, then went to Central Connecticut University for a time. But in 2003 “He came home one day and said he was going to join the Marines.” He was selected for the Marine color guard, and served with distinction there, but persistently requested duty with a front-line infantry unit. He told his parents, “I didn’t sign up to be a pretty boy”.

I know this is a tough time for the Philippon family, and my heart goes out to them. I’ve had some initial contact with them, and will soon be writing more about that day and Operation Matador overall. It is a daunting task that I do not take lightly.

Two other Marines also lost their lives that day, from the 3/25, a Marine Reserve unit from Ohio. SSgt Anthony Goodwin, on his third deployment to Iraq, and one of the key NCOs in his unit. This is an excellent video tribute about him.

Cpl Dustin Derga, was a firefighter back home and another young man who pursued a calling he felt to be a Marine, through the reserves. Here’s a touching tribute, written by his father.

–Ajax

Matador, Warpig

Brian Stann on Jocko Podcast

February 21, 2017 ajaxtrueblood Leave a comment

Ran across this YouTube the other day and viewed the whole thing. Gave me lots of new insights on Operation Matador, how WarPig (Weapons Co.) operated, the intensity of 3/2’s fight, and of course on Brian Stann himself. Stann was the Lieutenant in charge of WarPig 2, and during Matador led an epic fight to secure the south end of the (Golden Gate) bridge. Later, he became a top-notch MMA fighter in the UFC.

This interview is with former SEAL, and now ‘moto motivator’, Jocko Willink. They cover Stann’s recently published book, Heart for the Fight, which is about Stann’s wartime experiences and how they helped him shape his life. Great stuff. Enjoy…

–Ajax

Caution: It starts off with Jocko reading an intense passage from the book about the fiery destruction of an armored ‘trak’ of 3/25 during Operation Matador, which killed several Marines.

Bastards & Brothers