Pray for LTC Erik Kurilla

I have followed the incredible and courageous exploits of LTC Kurilla over at Michael Yon's place for some time.

Tonight we find out that he's been wounded and it's serious:

The Commander of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of my eyes. Despite being seriously wounded, LTC Kurilla immediately rejoined the intense and close-quarter fight that ended in hand-to-hand combat. LTC Kurilla continued to direct his men until a medic gave him morphine and the men took him away. I was right there. When I returned to base, I was actually "ordered" not to write about the fighting until given clearance, and was told that my phones could be confiscated. I will ignore such "orders" at my own discretion. I am preparing a dispatch now.

Father, heal and save this warrior Lord.  Be present even as we pray with those in charge of his care.  Be present with his loved ones.  Do this Lord as we pray in Christ's name, amen.

Additional coverage at BlackFive.  Given the linkage that Yon gets from blogging heavyweights, I'm surprised this news has not been given wider coverage.

UPDATE:  Matt has more, including news that LTC Kurilla is now stateside and in stable condition.

Comments

[HarryTick™]

"I will ignore such "orders" at my own discretion. I am preparing a dispatch now."

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mr. Yon stateside soon. The Army has certain procedures for situations like these. One is notification of next-of-kin in the event of injury or death. Circumvention of the procedures in those instances is not usually looked upon kindly by the level of authority of officers who would be in position to make the decision about whether or not he remains embedded or even in Iraq. I'm sure if he reads his agreement that he signed prior to being embedded, the ROE was clearly outlined.

I don't care how good his information is, or that his "offense" isn't as grievous as Geraldo Rivera's, he needs a time-out.

[Kat in GA]

"Father, heal and save this warrior Lord. Be present even as we pray with those in charge of his care. Be present with his loved ones. Do this Lord as we pray in Christ's name, amen."

I stand in agreement. AMEN.

[Rick]

Excellent points Harry... and your criticisms may explain the lack of a follow-up by Mr. Yon and the lack of coverage from other bloggers...

In any case, I hope Mr. Yon returns and soon... his posts are riveting...

[Craig Tyler]

There has been no indication that Mr. Yon did violate any rules. Calling for a 'time-out' for an supposed 'offense' is premature.

[Greg]

Update available here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/5123029p-4662975c.html
Tuesday, 8/23

[HarryTick™]

"There has been no indication that Mr. Yon did violate any rules."

Only if you're blind and can't read what he wrote, or just really willing to ignore what Mr. Yon himself said.

"Calling for a 'time-out' for an supposed 'offense' is premature."

Again, my knowledge of and experience with the protocols for the event of an injured/deceased serviceman/woman, combined with Mr. Yon's confession of going against orders which he apparently felt himself to be above obeying...other reporters have been returned to the press pool for less cavalier attitudes and truly honest mistakes in the course of this war.

[Craig Tyler]

You can call me blind, illiterate and ignorant, but the fact remains that there has been no official word from anyone that Mr. Yon has been reprimanded (or worse) for the post in question.

He stated in his post that the fighting and injuries to LTC Kurilla occured the previous day. I am not familiar with the speed at which the military notifies next-of-kin, but it is reasonable that they may have already been notified when the post was made. In addition, his quoting of the words 'ordered' and 'orders' could lead one to think the direction he received from the unnamed party was dubious.

Because there is so little information in the post itself there is alot of room for interpretation both ways. Your suspicion is reasonable, but you left the air of suspicion (e.g. "If he broke the ROE...") out of your final sentence and were already calling for punishment. Without more information it is hard to say Mr. Yon should be expelled from Iraq like Geraldo Rivera.

[HarryTick™]

I'm sorry I didn't present my opinion in a way which makes you all warm and fuzzy and satisfied that I covered all the legal aspects.

Since I am not part of a ciminal proceeding involving Mr. Yon, I need not consider him innocent until proven guilty. I trust my instincts, they've served me well and allowed me to return from the location Mr. Yon writes from, and they say that he has an arrogance towards the orders he has been given. An attitude I believe to be apparent in the very dispatch he tacked the post script to.

What's more, reading again his response to the orders, he was ordered not to write about the fighting. What he posts can give the enemy information that perhaps we (meaning the Army in particular, but the American people who 'support our troops' in general) don't want them to have. Maybe next time LTC Kurilla doesn't come home with just injuries because of Mr. Yon disregarding "such 'orders' at [his] discretion". Consequences go way beyond "the public's right to know". His teaser for his next dispatch claims that accuracy requires time...well, accuracy just may get his next hero killed depending on what he chooses to say while disregarding orders or the terms of his agreement.

Blind to consequences, ignorance of the bigger picture, and illiterate as to the hows and more importantly the whys of such orders.

[Chauncy Biggins]

Hey, come on man. I think it's obvious that the army wants him there, writing. This guy has unprecedented access that I haven't seen from other imbedded journalists. It's also obvious that he has the respect of the men of Deuce Four. He got away with picking up a weapon and firing it without getting sent home for it. That means something, if you ask me.

[HarryTick™]

He has the same access that Michael Gilbert had when he was embedded with the first Stryker Brigade. Only, Mike Gilbert understood his rules and the consequences of ignoring them on whims. I'm sure Mike Gilbert enjoys reading Mr. Yon's stuff too, but Mr. Gilbert had to answer to a newspaper if he was ejected.

[HarryTick™]

Heads up to Mr. Yon. Those "orders" he doesn't care for...

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050830-010059-1702r

[bridget bartush]

hi i'm;ooking for erik kurilla who went to meadow creek sch.in minnesota w/me is this him? bridget