Black hawk down by mark bowden is an intense book about a u. Already winning acclaim as one of the best accounts of combat ever written, black hawk down is a minutebyminute, heartstopping account of the 1993 raid on mogadishu, somalia. Ill try to find it and take a better photo or a scan but its a school library book. Gary ivan gordon 30 august 1960 3 october 1993 was a master sergeant in the united.
Master sergeant gary ivan gordon was killed in action on 3 october 1993, in somalia. Written by ken nolan, based on the book black hawk down. First class randy shughart, he earned the medal of honor. Wolcott pilot of the first downed black hawk, super 61 these are the fallen heroes of mogadishu, sent to do a job without proper equipment or sufficient backup. Written like a gripping novel this book is startling. Gordon were commemorated in the 2001 film black hawk down. Shughart, who, like gary gordon, received the medal of honor. It was adapted as a motion picture of the same name that received two academy awards. This did happen but it was actually a small force led by delta operator, sgt john mace macejunas who reached durants crash site on foot only to find no sign of the crew or shughart and gordon. He was a wellknown man in his hometown for doing such a heroic act. Its an environment vividly painted in black hawk down, ridley scotts retelling of the us militarys illfated incursion into mogadishu in 1993. Master sergeant gary ivan gordon august 30, 1960 october 3, 1993 is a posthumous recipient of the medal of honor.
The medals were presented to their widows, stephanie shughart and carmen gordon, in an emotional white house ceremony. This story concerns events that actually happened during two days in october 1993 in the sandy desert city of mogadishu, somalia. One of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film and television, he is known for his roles as sid vicious in sid and nancy 1986, drexl in true romance 1993, george smiley in tinker. The result is a glimpse into the apocalyptic hell of desperate battle, of men closer to boys, many of them killing each other just to stay alive. Video created in reflection of what was stated on both gordon and shugharts medal of honor citation. An operation made famous by the book and movie black hawk down.
A story of modern war kindle edition by bowden, mark. Gary ivan gordon during his service with delta force photo us army. The author describes the action that took place that day in chilling detail that is written with the unique voice of a journalist that draws the reader into the. We are keeping the story and legacy of msg gary gordon alive by constructing a memorial will be a lifesize likeness of msg gordon atop a granite base. A nearby black hawk, callsign super 62, circled near the crash site to provide covering fire. School administrators hope to occupy the facility the first of november and open their doors to students following the winter break. Its an environment vividly painted in black hawk down, ridley scotts retelling of the us militarys illfated incursion into mogadishu in 1993 based on mark bowdens absorbing book, black hawk down shows how, even in the military, theres room for different. Based on mark bowdens absorbing book, black hawk down shows how, even in the military, theres room for different leadership styles and traits. It was formerly listed as the combat applications group cag by the department of defense.
The area where the first black hawk super six one crash lands is a large open area surrounded by large 23 story buildings. Nov 10, 2011 a tribute to msg gary gordon and sfc randy shughart for their actions on oct. The official citation states that it was shughart, but mark bowden, author of black hawk down. Delta sergeant first class paul howe, black hawk down. In the early 1990s, warring factions in somalia brought about a famine in that country which eventually led to the starvation deaths of hundreds of thousands of somalis. The true story that inspired the movie black hawk down. Gary ivan gordon 30 august 1960 3 october 1993 was a master sergeant in the united states army and a recipient of the medal of honor. A story of modern war is a 1999 book by journalist mark bowden. This black hawk down special operator is still fighting, but on a. Gary gordon was born in me on tuesday, august 30, 1960 baby boomers generation generation. Reading lists, beach reading, silo series, tv series, book 1, the book. In regards to who died first, the uncertainty does noth. Heroic story of gary gordon and randall shughart, delta force.
A story of modern warfare is a nonfiction book by journalist mark bowden. See more ideas about battle of mogadishu, black hawk down and mogadishu 1993. A story of modern war gives readers an impressively comprehensive look at the deplorably mismanaged u. The film black hawk down is probably, in my opinion, one of the great modern war films and is based on this book. Gary ivan gordon was a master sergeant in the us army and a recipient of. This is how 2 delta force snipers earned the medal of honor in. It is a nonfiction account of the battle of mogadishu in somalia, which resulted from us forces attempt to capture the two lieutenants of mohamed farrah aidid, a warlord who oppressed the somali people and stole their humanitarian aid. Heroic story of gary gordon and randall shughart, delta. Gary ivan gordon august 30, 1960 october 3, 1993 was a master sergeant in the united states army and a recipient of the medal of honor. His actions at the battle of mogadishu were detailed in mark bowdens book black hawk down and, later, an academy awardwinning film of the same name. At the time of his death, he was a noncommissioned officer in the united states armys premier special operations unit, the 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta 1sfodd, or delta force. He received many awards after he died, but the most important one was the medal of honor. At the time of his death, he was a noncommissioned officer in the united states armys special operations unit, the 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta 1sfodd, or delta force.
In the 2001 film, black hawk down, gordon was portrayed by danish actor nikolaj coster waldau. In the company of heroes military wiki fandom powered. Black hawk down is a 2001 war film directed by ridley scott based on the book black hawk down. Sorry for the poor quality picture, its a phone picture of a book. Gordon, shughart and sfc brad hallings, another delta sniper, were aboard super 62, picking off targets one by one.
Jan 01, 2009 video created in reflection of what was stated on both gordon and shugharts medal of honor citation. After blackhawk super six four had been shot down by aidids militia, gordon and shughart extracted the pilot, chief warrant officer mike durant, bill cleveland, ray frank, and tommy field from the aircraft, and established defensive positions around the crash site. Already a classic of war reporting and now reissued as a grove press paperback, black hawk down is mark bowdens brilliant account of the longest sustained firefight involving american troops since the vietnam war. Gary ivan gordon august 30, 1960october 3, 1993 is a. Achievement medal, afghanistan, alqaeda, assault, battle of mogadishu 1993, bill clinton, black hawk down book, black hawk down. Differences between black hawk down book vs movie page 1. Sep 16, 2014 courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyways. Black hawk down tells the story of the battle of mogadishu that took place october 3, 1993. During the assault, super six one, one of the armys black hawk helicopters. Black hawk down came about nearly four years after the battle, but the author did his homework carefully. A story of modern war, by mark bowden, is an inthestreets account of the now infamous seventh mission of task force ranger and delta force in mogadishu, somalia. At the time of his death, he was a noncommissioned officer in the united states armys premiere special operations unit, the 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta 1sfodd, also known. Gary ivan gordon august 30, 1960october 3, 1993, posthumous recipient of the medal of honor. War is the most unforgiving environment for a leader, with every decision affecting both your own life and that of others.
His list of interviewees is impressive, as is the extent of his research. Alqaeda involvement in africa, battle of mogadishu 1993, bhd, black hawk down, black hawk down film, boutros boutrosghali, ciener ultimate overunder, delta force in popular culture, elizabeth drew, eric l. Join facebook to connect with oliver crispens and others you may know. From a black hawk helicopter, gordon and shughart were providing. Black hawk pilot michael durant told his story of being shot down and captured by a mob of somalis in his 2003 book in the company of heroes. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
He is a posthumous recipient of the medal of honor. Gary oldman is a talented english movie star and character actor, renowned for his expressive acting style. Master sergeant gary ivan gordon was born on august 30, 1960 and died on october 3, 1993 in mogadishu, somalia. This is how 2 delta force snipers earned the medal of honor. Rpgs were responsible for shooting down two black hawk helicopters during the battle of mogadishu and wounding several other aircraft.
He graduated from mattanawcook academy and enlisted in the u. I dont remember what book but it was a super basic military book, only a 23 pages on gothic serpent. Upon its crash the blackhawk wreck had become a focus of enemy attention as well as fire. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading black hawk down.
While 1st sfodd is administratively supported by usasoc, it falls under the operational control of the joint. Together with his comrade, sergeant first class randy. Gary died october 3, 1993, while trying to save people in a helicopter that went down. In the company of heroes is a book by michael durant and steven hartov about durants experiences in the battle of mogadishu, korea, the persian gulf, thailand, panama, and iraq. At the time of his death, he was a noncommissioned officer in the united states armys premiere special operations unit, the 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta.
A story of modern war from the worlds largest community of readers. This story concerns events that actually happened during two days in october 1993 in. Late in the afternoon of sunday, october 3 1993, 140 elite us soldiers abseiled from helicopters into a teeming market neighbourhood in the heart of the city. Army ranger and chalk fours leader during the battle, compiled several different accounts into a book called the battle of mogadishu. Army component of joint special operations command. The gary ivan gordon elementary school is located in fort braggs linden oaks housing area and will serve approximately 550 students, prekindergarten through fifth grade. Master sergeant gordon, united states army, distinguished himself by actions.
This is how 2 delta force snipers earned the medal of. Gary gordon and randy shughart black hawk down delta sniper. Mark robert bowden born july 17, 1951 is an american journalist and writer. A tribute to msg gary gordon and sfc randy shughart for their actions on oct. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most.
Apr 26, 2018 a nearby black hawk, callsign super 62, circled near the crash site to provide covering fire. Gary gordon is a virgo and was born in the year of the rat life. Army war heroes, one that has been immortalized in film and books. I think if hollywood had stuck more strictly to the detailed and accurate account given by the author, mark bowden, the film would have been even better, but probably never made. Msg gordon was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for these actions above and beyond the call of duty. He is buried at lincoln cemetery, lincoln, penobscot county, me. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this black hawk down study guide and get instant access to the following summary. Gary gordon project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Almost 25 years after the infamous battle of mogadishu in somalia, which led to the black hawk down book and movie, retired master sgt. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes. A story of modern war, a book about the october 1993.
Haney, gshock, gary gordon, gene roberts journalist, groundhog day film, in the company of heroes, inside delta force, ken nolan, keni thomas, list of american. The book, black hawk down, a 1999 book by mark bowden and the movie black hawk down,a 2001 film adaptation of mark bowdens book, directed. Gary ivan gordon the pair was posthumously awarded the medal of honor in 1994. In the battle of mogadishu, the mh60 black hawk helicopter codenamed super sixfour that durant was piloting was shot down over somalia by a rocketpropelled grenade on october 3, 1993. At the time of his death, he was a noncommissioned officer in the united states armys premiere special operations unit, the 1st special forces operational detachmentdelta 1sfodd, or delta force. See more ideas about battle of mogadishu, mogadishu, battle.