Gary Gordon is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Penobscot . In 1996 the US Navy named two ships after Shughart and Gordon in honor of their heroic actions. A California-based mortuary service said it was highly unusual to conduct repairs or work on gravestones without notifying the family: "We don't do it unless the family requests it," the 30-year mortician said to Insider, adding that he did not want to be identified. Gary Gordon and Sgt. On 24 July 1996, Aidid and his men clashed with the forces of former allies Ali Mahdi Muhammad and Osman Ali Atto. Ownership data provided by Refinitiv and Estimates data provided by FactSet. They realized that reinforcements would most likely not arrive in time, but fought on against overwhelming odds, exhibiting selfless service and personal courage. Was he Sgt. His actions saved the pilots life. Concerning Shughart and Gordan, Durant made the comment Without a doubt, I owe my life to these two men and their braveryThose guys came in when they had to know it was a losing battle, There was nobody else left to back them up. He enlisted in the U.S. Army the same year at age 18, and after serving with the 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, he was chosen to join the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) as a sniper. After his time with the Marines, Grant served as a SWAT sniper. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Law enforcement officers from Maine are investigating a possible vandalism case of a gravestone belonging to US Army Master Sgt. First, let's give them their due. What is the most elite unit in the military? 1st Class Randy Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions to secure the site of one of the Black Hawk crashes to recover survivors. "Master Sergeant Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army," Gordon's citation says. Who was the real hoot in Black Hawk Down? Russias Alpha Group compared to the Delta Force. Again, out of ammo, he was only able to retrieve one weapon and five rounds, which he gave to Durant and said Good Luck. "Many believed that it would not last long and would encounter little opposition.". [12] He then proceeded to openly criticize the president, telling him, "You are not fit to be president of the United States. By most accounts, Gordon was killed first, with Shughart returning to an injured Mike Durant to give him Gordons carbine. Later investigation and reconstruction concluded that Gordon was the first to be killed. As for the Shughart M14, its an extremely iconic weapon, and Im proud to have one that resembles that legendary rifle. Master Sgt. The Commands position was that three of them could be of more assistance by providing air cover. In 1997, the Navy named roll-on/roll-off ship USNSShughart(T-AKR-295) in a ceremony at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego. Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, both members of the 1st SFOD-D, were part of the Task Force engaged in Operation Gothic Serpent (later known as Battle of Mogadishu) during the U.S. intervention in Somalia on October 3, 1993. No doubt about it, the rifle in the movie is a full-length M14, similar to the Standard Issue M1A. He and Shughart were lowered to the ground, while their comrade Sergeant First Class Brad Halling stayed aboard to man a machine gun. Citation: Master Sergeant Gordon, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team Leader, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. The term M1A is a proprietary title for Springfield Armorys M14-pattern rifle. By most accounts, Gordon was killed first, with Shughart returning to an injured Mike Durant to give him Gordon's carbine. As they monitored the downing of the 2nd Blackhawk it was evident that ground forces would not be available anytime soon to secure the crash site and protect the crew of four, whom all survived the crash. The bodies of 50 Somalis were later found surrounding the chopper. Their request was denied by command twice, but the men persisted. Mission commanders felt it too dangerous and believed the snipers would be of more assistance in the air. His actions saved the pilots life. On Oct. 14, 1993, in rain as the population of Lincoln stood by in honor, Gordon was buried in his uniform in a flag-filled cemetery. Shortly after, Shughart was killed, the site was overrun and Durant was taken hostage. Master Sergeant Gordon used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers until he depleted his ammunition. The views
Godron, 33, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu. United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (19581993), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, List of post-Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients, "Randall D. Shughart, Sergeant First Class", United States Army Center of Military History, "For 8 Years, a Strained Relationship With the Military", "Cargo Ship Shughart (T-AKR 295) Named After Medal of Honor recipient", "Carlisle Barracks to dedicate Shughart Hall", "JFK Special Warfare Museum: Medal of Honor recipients", "Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor ceremony", "U.S. Army Infantry Homepage: National Infantry Museum Operation Restore Hope", "Naming of Randall D. Shughart United States Post Office Building in Newville, Pennsylvania", "Special Forces Association Chapter LXIV, SFC Randall Shughart Memorial Chapter, Carlisle, PA", "Veterans Memorial Grove and The Battle of Mogadishu Monument", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Randy_Shughart&oldid=1130617837, People from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Members of the United States Army Special Forces, American military personnel killed in action, United States Army Medal of Honor recipients, Battle of Mogadishu (1993) recipients of the Medal of Honor, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Both mens bodies were recovered. Not a surprise, since the Vietnam War was on TV every night. In reality, the helicopter was not evading RPG fire, as portrayed in the movie. At the time, the United States was leading a UN mission to end the civil war and famine in Somalia. "He and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first Americans to receive our highest military decoration since the Vietnam War.". TRENDING: Tech Stock In Buy Zone As It Joins Sector Leaders' Final Four. Without a doubt, they saved my life. Eighteen American troops died in the ensuing 18-hour battle, including three of the four pilots in the downed Black Hawk. Gary Gordon. In 1989, Gordon was with the outfit in Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama to capture its dictator, Manuel Noriega. The MSG Gary Gordon and hisDelta Forcesniper teammatesSFC Randall Shughartand SFC Brad Hallings, who were providing sniper cover from the air, wanted to be dropped at the second crash site to protect the four critically wounded crew. Editors Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. 1st Class Randy Shughart, who gave their lives to save their fellow soldiers during the fierce Battle of Mogadishu, are the focus of the latest graphic novel in the Association of the U.S. Army's series on recipients of the nation's highest award for valor. Several months later, he completed a pre-ranger course (currently known as SURT, Small Unit Ranger Tactics), was granted a slot to attend Ranger School, graduated, and earned the Ranger Tab. His actions saved the pilots life. Sergeant First Class Shughart provided precision sniper fires from the lead helicopter during an assault on a building and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires. ", Suddenly Durant heard Gordon say, "Damn. The mob finds him, and they start to beat him until one of Aidid's lieutenant's stops them and claims Durant as a hostage for the warlord. Gordon and Shughart lost their lives in the assault. as well as other partner offers and accept our. It was of crew chief Cleveland. Honours and Awards. President George H.W. The blame for my son's death rests with the White House and with you. The battle was a disaster for coalition troops and resulted in a major strategic victory for Somali National Alliance forces, with American, Malaysian and Pakistani forces suffering heavy losses. The Lincoln Police Department said that while it may have been a case of vandalism, it also could have also been a "work in progress" with gold lettering on the engravings. They set up a defense perimeter and gave Durant a rifle to protect their rear, since he was the only one in condition to help them. Shughart was buried in Carlilse, Pennsylvania and Gordon in Penobscot County, Maine. The fourth pilot was captured and later released. Some of the things happening in convoy getting lost seem to be consolidated onto McKnight. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. Durant acknowledged that he might have been wrong in his identification but was reluctant to push for the record to be changed since he was not sure. He chose to be a husband and father and never wavered in those roles. "If our people had cleaned it, they might've done a light sand blast at best, but they would actually do the painting of the engraved parts by hand," he added. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader, while under intense small arms fire from the enemy, fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured crew members. Shughart's dead body is torn from the Black Hawk: the mob tears the top of his uniform off and carries him through the street with his bare chest facing up. To me, it looks like he had thinner stripes on the gun than I usually paint, so I held the can closer to get the paint strip narrower. On October 3, 1993 members of the elite US Army rangers and SOCOMs Delta Force executed a mission to attempt the capture of Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid. As a Delta operator, he advanced to Team Sergeant. On May 23, 1994, Gordon and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration for valor under . Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. Randall Shughart was a US Army Delta Force soldier. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart were the only soldiers participating in Operation Gothic Serpent (Battle of Mogadishu) to receive the militarys highest honor and the first Medal of Honor recipients since theVietnam War. He was not there at night since he was on the convoy that finally returned to base after failing to reach the crash site. I tried looking it up and all it said was that the bodies were dragged through the streets and I couldn't find anything about how the US eventually got the bodies back. Their 'Go bag'. SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), and Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. At his death, he was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Armys premier special operations unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), also known as Delta Force. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. We'll go in and re-sand the letters and repaint them because it only last so long because of the weather.". After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. The USNS Gordon is currently operated by the US Navys Military Sealift Command in Washington, D.C. Realtime quote and/or trade prices are not sourced from all markets. All content is protected by copyright and may not be used for commercial purposes without prior written permission. Shughart returned to the battle alone and was killed shortly after. When the smoke had cleared, its said that there were 25 dead Somali attackers scattered around the site. His teachers thought he was smart, but his grades drifted because he was obsessed doodling "anything and everything military-related," his mother told a reporter. His M14 has a camouflage paint scheme and an Aimpoint CompM2/M68 reflex sight. How many Delta Force died in Black Hawk Down? (from the Bowdens notes: this is because he was at most liberty to talk about the events). It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. However, large numbers of armed, hostile Somalis were converging on the area. These
", The pilot wrote: "He sounded almost irritated, like this was just going to make things harder for him. . Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia as part of Task Force Ranger. He was a soldier in the United States Army special operations unit, the 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force). Shughart left active duty and went into the Army Reserve in June 1980. While a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) team went to secure it, a second Super Six-Four was also downed. Traduzioni in contesto per "first to be killed" in inglese-italiano da Reverso Context: Ding's seventeen-year-old son, Jiang Jielian (), was one of the first to be killed when the People's Liberation Army crushed the Tiananmen Square protests. Durant suffered a crushed vertebra in his back and a compound fracture of his left femur. The next biggest part of the build, that is also the hardest part of the build, is to get a red dot on the rifle like Shugharts. Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Durant, one of the Black Hawk pilots, was captured. The thoroughness of the pages after the story in the book all seem to indicate that Mark Bowden wrote it very, very diligently. As a result, Ive found myself increasingly interested in recreations of famous guns used around the world. [1] According to Durant's book In the Company of Heroes, the Somalis counted 25 of their militia dead after the firefight. Sergeant First Class Shughart's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him-self, his unit and the United States Army. This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 02:43. Helicopter with call sign Super 61 (Super Six One). At one point, MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart requested permission to land near the second helicopter crash site and defend the crash site and four critically wounded helicopter crew members. Ridley Scott directed the movie. The aftermath of this confrontation shifted American foreign policy and led to an eventual termination of the United Nations mission in Somalia in 1995. Stay up to date with what you want to know. It is unknown why he missed the rope. Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. Click the Go To Forum Thread link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more! It wasn't a scream or a plea, just a statement of fact, like someone who'd nicked himself with a vegetable knife. Though Delta Force generally chooses its candidates from within the Armymost Delta operators come from the 75th Ranger Regiment or the Special Forcesthe group also selects individuals from other branches of the military, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and even Navy SEALs. Wolcott's body is finally recovered. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team for Delta Force and were assigned to over watch the operation, engaging targets from the Blackhawk. Two are Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart. While their heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia resulted in their deaths, they efforts allowed for the rescue of a fellow soldier. Notice: Information contained herein is not and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell securities. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider A Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign Super Six-One was shot down first, and later that day the Black Hawk helicopter Super Six-Four was shot down. Guns like an M16A1, a Rhodesian baby poop camo-painted FAL, the FNC, the M1 Garand, etc., are all guns I hope to add to my gun safe one day. At Ft. Polks JRTC, the largest town inside of The Box is named Shughart-Gordon. Both pilots were killed in the resulting crash and two of the crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. I only tried to match it in appearance and not performance. Durant is left sitting in a bunker without ammunition. "I don't know if someone was trying to clean it or [refresh] it. The Shughart-Gordon MOUT site was named for Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. His actions saved the pilot's life. Shugart was the first one to be mortally wounded at about the same time he ran out of ammo. Gordon's lesson is that when something is crucial, push hard. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. . After his third request to be inserted, Master Sergeant Gordon received permission to perform his volunteer mission. Citation Reads:Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army. . Who fell out of the helicopter in Black Hawk Down? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. After putting the gun back together, I ended up putting on a National Match leather sling to get the same look from the film. 1 Were the bodies of Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon recovered? On the beach near the base, a memorial was held for those who were killed in combat." 22 News outlets broadcasted searing images of mobs dragging the bodies of dead Army Special Operators and helicopter crewmen . Westminster Cemetery, Pennsylvania, United States Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the crash site, armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, and made their way to the downed Blackhawk. 1st Class Randy Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions to secure the site of one of . The pair landed 100 meters south of the crashsite and, armed with sniper rifles and pistols, fought their way to the downed Black Hawk. During Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, Durant was the pilot of helicopter Super Six Four. His was the second MH-60L of two Black Hawk helicopters to crash during the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. [4] Command's position was that the snipers could be of more assistance by providing air cover. Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. However, beyond that, it wasn't likely. Both Delta snipers, Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, are portrayed in the Hollywood blockbuster Black Hawk Down. Thanks. Like I said earlier, I didnt do anything that wasnt strictly aesthetic. SHUGHART-GORDON VILLAGE. The story of courage and self-sacrifice is best portrayed in the heroic story of MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart. "When Master Sergeant Gordon learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the crash site, he and another sniper unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site," his medal citation reads. Make more money in stocks with 2 months of access to IBD Digital for only $20! His M14 has a camouflage paint scheme and an Aimpoint CompM2/M68 reflex sight. Gary Gordon, a Special Forces soldier was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Sergeant First Class Randall David Shughart, 2nd Battalion of the10th Special Forces Group, Mark Bowdens bestseller Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Rob Guzzo: The Tragic Story of a Dedicated Navy SEAL, The Day of the Rangers: An unforgettable moment in military history. Much of the food was hijacked by Mohamed Aidid's militia, and suddenly hundreds of thousands more Somalians were at risk of dying. Unlike other members of the armed forces, the Delta Force is granted a lot of freedom in how they live and what they look like. Gary Gordon joined the US Army in December 1978. A CSRT (Combat Search and Rescue team) was dispatched to the first crash site to secure it, and a short time later, another Black Hawk, Super 64 (Super Six Four), was shot down as well. Gordons body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. For their acts, they were awarded the highest military decoration, Medal of Honor, for the first time after the Vietnam War. In 1996, the US Navy held a ceremony in Newport News, Virginia, during which it named the roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Gordon. The two sergeants were part of a sniper team aboard another Blackhawk, hovering. He is a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. The mission was an assault mission to apprehend advisors to Mohamed Farrah Aidid, and it was to be a short operation. 1st Class Randall Shughart, a 35-year-old from Newville, Pa., who so loved the military that he made his wife, Stephanie, promise never to ask him to quit? Just as they fought and died together, the two operators were honored together as well. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. He then drew his pistol and held off the attackers as long as possible, eventually being mortally wounded. Gary I. Gordon and Randall D. Shughart were true warriors and the finest American heroes. Their ammunition depleted, Gordon and Shughart were killed by Somali gunfire. They acted as if they were in no particular rush, and they raised me up gently and carried me to an open spot on the ground to the right of the cockpit and set me down carefully in the dust. Positioned approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Self Airfield, Shughart-Gordon is the largest of the three sites. Shell also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance. It is believed that Gordon was the first to be killed. Shughart went back around the helicopter's nose and held off the mob for about 10 more minutes before he was killed. In December 1992, the United States began Operation Restore Hope. I purchased an M1A with the sole purpose of creating a clone look-a-like rifle that matched the visual appearance of the M14 from the movie Black Hawk Down that was carried by the actor Johnny Strong as he played the role of Randy Shughart on screen. The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. Gordon's body was eventually recovered and is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penobscot County, Maine. In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. The USNS Shughart is currently the lead ship in her class, and is capable of carrying 48 track vehicles, 58 tanks, and over 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. The first thing you need is an M1A, of course. "It almost looks like somebody did a bad job trying to clean it," he added. In the end, 19 American soldiers were killed, including six Delta Force operators, and 73 were wounded. I will not fail those with whom I serve.. Gordon and Shughart were a sniper team providing sniper cover from the air in helicopter Super Six-Two. Before we find you.". Shughart and Gordon are dropped 100 meters from the site and the two men held off a horde of Somali attackers and ultimately saved the life of the lone survivor of the crash, Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant. Gary and Carmen talked about opening a furniture store, but also candidly discussed what would happen if he died. ". Randy Shughart was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, into an Air Force family. Of the four man crew, only Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived, suffering a crushed vertebra and comminuted fracture to his left femur. As a Delta Force operator, he advanced to Assistant Team Sergeant. [4], Armed with their sniper rifles and sidearms, Shughart and Gordon were inserted approximately 100 metres (330ft) from the crash site and made their way to the downed Black Hawk. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. This rifle is a fantastic foundation for a project like this. MOGADISHU (Reuters) Somali insurgents dragged soldiers bodies through the streets of Mogadishu before burning them on Wednesday in heavy fighting that killed at least 16 people and injured scores more, witnesses said. Bush authorized the dispatch of U.S. troops to Somalia to assist with famine relief as part of the larger United Nations effort. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. [8], SFC Shughart's awards and decorations include:[9][10], On May 23, 1994, Shughart and Gordon were posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor for protecting the crew of Super Six Four. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Raid: How Delta Force Took Out Notorious Terrorist? I'm hit. The peacekeepers then faced the task of overcoming the decades-long intertribal conflicts within the war-torn nation. When superiors reluctantly approved the mission, Gordon grinned and gave a thumbs up, but Hallings had to stay behind to man the minigun because its operator was wounded. Delta Force operatives dont typically wear a uniform and, even when they do, the nature of that uniform is classified and no one outside of the Unit would be able to recognize it. There are few military servicemen who have received the Medal of Honor and had their actions portrayed in a Hollywood movie. Two Delta Force operators Master Sgt. and our Sorry, an error occurred and we could not sign you up. While he entered into the Army Reserve in 1980, he returned to active duty in December 1983. Sergeant First Class Shughart, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Sniper Team Member, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. In total 50 Somalian bodies were found at the location. [7], In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, Shughart was portrayed by actor Johnny Strong. They were at the Black Hawk with the call sign Super 62 (Super Six Two). certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owners manual. However, it added that the family "was never notified that this was happening. After completing basic training, he successfully completed infantry AIT (advanced individual training), Airborne School, and in 1978 was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington. The next thing you need to pull off the look is, of course, a 20-round magazine. What happened to the pilot in Black Hawk Down? M14. Shughart was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger. Privacy Policy. On May 23, 1994, President Clinton awarded Gordon and Shughart the Medal of Honor, joining just 3,000 others in two centuries. After completing the introductory training courses, Shughart completed AIT (advanced individual training), Airborne School, and in 1978 assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington.