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First Lt. David Lucas, a once-long-haired teenager from Farragut, has received a Bronze Star for rescuing two Egyptian hostages in Baghdad in February.We first noted a Reuter's report on the incident here - and shortly after we received an email from John Lucas setting the record straight:Lucas, now 27 and less rebellious, was presented the award for "heroic or meritorious achievement" during a ceremony in Iraq last week.
Eight other soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, based at Fort Drum, N.Y., earned the lesser Army Commendation Medal for their efforts in the same rescue on Feb. 7.
On that day, Lucas, riding in a Humvee, noticed a vehicle hanging low to the ground. Worried it contained a bomb, Lucas said he directed his driver to cut off the car.
There was no bomb, but inside the trunk were two men, blindfolded and tied up.
They were two of the four Egyptians who had been kidnapped by terrorists the day before, according to a Department of Defense news release.
Lucas' father, John, a Knoxville attorney, said his son was modest about earning the medal and only hinted to his family that he might receive it.
"He was really sort of closed-mouth about it," said John Lucas, who learned that his son actually was awarded the Bronze Star from an Internet news release.
Here is what went unreported. I asked my son why they had not just shot the two who ran away (one of whom was chased down and captured). I thought that perhaps the Rules of Engagement prevented them from shooting them, since they had not been shot at first. He told me, however, that the ROE did permit them to shoot, but he never gave them a "fire" command because the street was too crowded and he was worried that they might hit civilians. So, instead, they chased them down. As a result of that decision, civilian lives were spared and all 4 hostages were rescued. It's a great example of good decision-making, good fire discipline, and concern for the people. But, not the sort of thing the media seems to want to report.You can see video of the medal ceremony here. (Tactical quality!)
We'll hope the El-Tee told his dad about that...
Update (3 months later!): Back at'cha Glenn. The Lt has come home, and published an op-ed in his local paper. It's a must read.
