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- Who Was The Enemy?
- How Was The Platoon Rescued?
- What Was The Toll?
- Why Did It Matter?
- Who Are The Heroes?
More than a year after the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein, American forces still faced violence across the country, but Sadr City had been relatively calm. In the previous six months, only one U.S. soldier had been killed. The population, predominantly Shia, had suffered under the Sunni leadership of Saddam Hussein, and th...
Back at the house in the alley, with an Iraqi family still inside, soldiers from the platoon took up positions on the roof. Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Swope stayed down in the alley in one of the remaining Humvees. As enemy fighters continuously assaulted the platoon, Swope was on the Humvee’s radio for the entire fight, the only point of contact with re...
In addition to Sgt. Eddie Chen, the gunner with the pinned-down platoon, seven other soldiers were killed that evening: Spc. Robert Arsiaga, Spc. Ahmed Cason, Spc. Israel Garza, Spc. Stephen Hiller, Cpl. Forest Jostes, Sgt. Michael Mitchell and Spc. Casey Sheehan. Most of them were in their 20s. More than 60 others were wounded.
The fight to rescue the team in the alley was just the beginning. Within hours, many of the soldiers involved were back battling on the streets of Sadr City to retake the police stations that had been seized. They would go on to fight this new insurgency for 80 straight days, and then after a brief respite, would endure another 60.
As Volesky put it, “Uncommon valor was common that day.” Sgt. 1st Class Swope would be awarded a Silver Star for staying in the Humvee in the alley and remaining on the radio for the entire battle. Staff Sgt. Robert Miltenberger was also awarded the third-highest medal for valor because of his actions that night. As part of a rescue mission, he and...
- 3 min
- ABC News
Apr 7, 2024 · ‘Black Sunday’ survivors, families reunite 20 years later ABC News’ Martha Raddatz reunites with soldiers who fought in the Sadr City ambush on “This Week.” April 7, 2024
Apr 4, 2024 · Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of the battle known as “Black Sunday,” a battle in Sadr City, Iraq in which a platoon from the ‘Lancer’ battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division was...
Apr 7, 2017 · Filming for the miniseries ceased for a moment of silence in remembrance of the eight Soldiers who lost their lives on April 4, 2004. Afterward, the vets of the battle toured the sets that ...
