Wounded U.S. Soldiers Refused to Leave Taliban Fight

ABC News reporter Karen Russo spent a few minutes on the ground at the scene of Saturday's firefight in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan province when she flew in with a medevac crew (via Michelle Malkin):

Once on the ground, I hopped out of the chopper, but could see little other than smoke wafting through the moonlight, likely from a fire that was burning much of the base. Then I could make out the shadows of soldiers as they carried the wounded towards the helicopter.

Any noise of the conflict was drowned out by the propellers of the helicopter. The area smelled of burned out pine trees something one solider described as "death and hell."

Three wounded soldiers, one U.S. and two Afghan, were carried down the steep incline and quickly placed on the helicopter.

Some of the injured refused to be MEDEVACED out of the combat zone and continued to fight despite their wounds, according to soldiers at the base.

Soldiers told the MEDEVAC crew that troops were donating blood during the battle, so it could be transfused into wounded comrades.

Much more at the link. See also Bill Roggio's report on the battle.

I think we'll be hearing more stories like this in the days and weeks to come, and none of them will surprise me at all.

Please keep the families of our Fallen Heroes in your prayers.


Update: The Battle for COP Keating and how you can show your support here.