UNCOMMON COURAGE

As details emerge about the fierce battle that erupted last weekend in the mountains of southern Afghanistan, so does further evidence that the war against terrorism will be long, difficult and gruesome. As seven flag-draped coffins complete their journey from those mountains back to the United States, they bring with them further evidence that uncommon courage is common among those who serve in this country’s armed forces.

The initial information released by the Pentagon – a list of names, ages and hometowns – was a succinct reminder that American heroes range from youngsters barely out of high school to those who have made the military their career, that they come from small towns and big cities, that all were volunteers, driven by devotion to duty and willingness to sacrifice. Additional information told us the heartbreaking fact that several leave wives and young children behind.

Now, the more complete story of what happened at Shahikot tells the true nature of this war and what is at stake.

American Special Operations troops were ambushed by al-Qaida fighters in the rugged terrain Sunday night and were unable to move or evacuate their wounded for 12 hours. In the pre-dawn hours of Monday, two Chinook helicopters arrived to bring in reinforcements and to carry off the wounded. They came under intense fire and one was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. As they hurriedly lifted off, a Navy SEAL, Petty Officer Neil Roberts, was thrown from his helicopter to the ground below. His absence was discovered only after helicopters landed about a mile away to check for damage.

Real-time video from an unmanned Predator surveillance aircraft caught images of three al- Qaida fighters dragging the still-living Petty Officer Roberts away. One of the helicopters immediately brought its Special Operations team back to the scene. Two more Chinooks quickly arrived with 30 more troops. With the Navy SEAL used as bait, al-Qaida had set up an ambush in which six more Americans died.

The Americans regrouped and drove the al- Qaida fighters back to their caves. The body of Petty Officer Roberts was recovered. He had died from a single gunshot fired at close range, an injured prisoner inhumanely executed by his captors.

This extraordinary effort to rescue one comrade has a simple explanation. “We don’t leave Americans behind,” said Brig. Gen. John W. Rosa Jr., deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

There will other such stories of before this war is concluded. Other flag-draped coffins. Each will contain the paradox of uncommon courage being so common.