Soldier in Jessica Lynch's unit awarded Silver Star - includes details of the ambush

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That would be great Stealth, we all appreciate your effort!


Michael in Sandy, Oregon/Owner of IronWolf Industries
 
Damn, damn, damn!

Pvt. Miller was on Paula Zahn "Now" tonight and I just saw the "thanks for being here and goodnight" portion of the only replay. I guess ol' Paula isn't all that popular with THRers 'cuz noone here told anyone of this interview, billed as "his first live national interview".

The good news, though, is there is a transcript at: http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0311/17/pzn.00.html and the Miller interview portion of the show is reproduced below.

ZAHN: After the media coverage, TV movie and her new book, millions know the story of Private First-Class Jessica Lynch, but even with her capture and time as a prisoner, and rescue she says she's no hero. She gives that credit to a 23-year-old army mechanic. Army Private First Class Patrick Miller was in Lynch's convoy, took fire, was taken prisoner.

To tell his story, he is here now for his first live national interview. What an honor to meet you. Welcome, private.

PFC. PATRICK MILLER, U.S. ARMY: Thank you.

ZAHN: I wanted to start off by talking about what Jessica Lynch has to say about you. She said, "Patrick is a brave soldier, risking his life as he did to save others. I am proud of his courage." You came tonight with a silver star that you were awarded for your heroism.

MILLER: Yes, ma'am.

ZAHN: How do you view yourself? And actually I would love for you to open it and share it with your audience tonight. That's got to mean an awful lot to you. Hold it up to the camera so we can see.

When you got that, what did it mean to you?

MILLER: I really -- it's nice to be awarded medals and stuff, but for me, I am not -- I didn't join the military to win medals and that kind of stuff. I joined to -- because that's what I wanted to do at the time.

ZAHN: And you certainly did your job that night. It is true that during this whole encounter, eight Iraqis were shot. You admit you weren't much of a marksman, in fact, you had a jammed weapon that night.

MILLER: Yes.

ZAHN: How did you survive?

MILLER: There's a forward assist that pushes the bolt forward. My round, it would fire, but -- and it would eject the casing, but it wouldn't push the next round all the way into the chamber, so I had to push on the forward-assist to get the bolt to push the round all the way into the chamber.

ZAHN: And once you survived that, of course you were captured, taken prisoner, and I understand you did just about anything you could do to drive your captors nuts.

What did you do?

MILLER: A little bit of everything. When they first captured me, they found my can of chew and tobacco, and asked me what it was, and I guess they don't have chewing tobacco over there, so I told them it was candy.

ZAHN: Did any of them try it?

MILLER: Yes, a couple tried it.

ZAHN: Did they get sick.

MILLER: Ended up throwing up, seeing their breakfast again.

ZAHN: That must have delighted you.

MILLER: I was trying not to laugh too much, because it was just -- I didn't know what would happen if I started laughing at them for throwing up.

ZAHN: Don't you feel you are lucky to be alive and the fact that you could at a point where your life was at risk, and you could have died at any moment that you could laugh at a little trick you pulled.

MILLER: You -- it was one of them deals you had to laugh inside. You couldn't really laugh like at them, because you didn't know what they would do and that kind of stuff. And it was that then the radio frequencies that were in my Kevlar, I told them they were prices for power steering pumps.

ZAHN: And they believed it?

MILLER: They believed it and threw them in the fire, the little fire they had going.

ZAHN: They were pretty stupid, weren't they?

MILLER: Apparently.

ZAHN: Well, you were lucky that they weren't swifter than that. Private Miller, we really salute your bravery and we're delighted to honor your heroism this evening. Good luck to you.

MILLER: Thank you.

ZAHN: Thanks for sharing your story.
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MILLER: A little bit of everything. When they first captured me, they found my can of chew and tobacco, and asked me what it was, and I guess they don't have chewing tobacco over there, so I told them it was candy.
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Is this guy cool under fire or what!!!???? This guy is great!!

MILLER: There's a forward assist that pushes the bolt forward. My round, it would fire, but -- and it would eject the casing, but it wouldn't push the next round all the way into the chamber, so I had to push on the forward-assist to get the bolt to push the round all the way into the chamber.
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How many times have we heard that the forward assist was useless and would only worsen a problem?
 
Patrick Miller

Hey everyone.....called Fort Carson today to try and locate Miller......they have a number for the post locator, that helps you locate personnel on base.... they gave me the number for PFC Patrick Miller .....but I havent been able to raise a soul on that number....so I will try tomorrow to talk with someone to try and get his contact info so we all can bless him and his family! Lets get this goin....this guy deserves our gratitude!
 
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From where does Paula Zahn do her show; NYC? He was on her show yesterday so he is very likely in NYC. The army will likely tour him about telling his story now that he has the blessing of Queen Jessica.
 
Where IS the fund? I thought we were going to get an addy to send money to the soldier directly. Any changes on that?

Stealth? You out there?
 
Anything we can get, let's do. If we wait until this is off the front burner, and those willing to help him become apathetic from growing disinterest, he will get nothing.
 
The last time I called a few days ago I didnt get through....I didnt feel it was appropriate to call on the holidays, so I thought I would try in a few days, and I will let you know if I have any luck getting through to him!
Thanks
Stealth101
 
I have tried a couple of times as well. I will keep hitting it, but contacting the Congree critter can't hurt. Post whatever you find out, on this thread to kick it back up to the top. Thank you!


Michael in Sandy, Oregon/Owner of IronWolf Industries
 
I e-mailed the congressman and gave him a link to this thread so he would know it was a legit request. Hope fully we should hear something next week.
 
Hello Jim, I have been trying what we think is the home phone #, but there hasn't been any answer. I will still keep trying.
 
Thanks. I'll wait for the next BTT on this thread.

I used to live in Colorado Springs and may be able to elicit some help from a friend down there.
 
While I still want to do something for the guy, I cannot seem to get ahold of him. The different phone numbers I have been given lead nowhere. I am pretty darn frustrated about the whole thing.
 
I'm not going to hold Jessica Lynch responsible for the media hysteria that was promoted around her.
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Nor I, but I would have a tough time accepting such hype myself.:(

I have found thoughout my life you want the unassuming guy like Miller
beside you.!!
 
The question Wingman is, What do you do keep from having the type of attention forced on Lynch from being forced on you in a similiar situation?

In the one interview that I saw she responded that she was only a soldier doing her duty. In that she showed more integrity than many of the media/politico types who were involved with the whole episode.

It pleases me that Miller also shows Jayhawker class in his response to questions about Lynch.
 
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