From Iraq to Berlin, former POW Lynch shares her story
In the spring of 2003, the nation was captivated as media outlets reported that Jessica Lynch, a young Army private from rural West Virginia, had been one of the victims of an ambush and subsequent capture as a prisoner of war near Narsiriyah, Iraq, by militant Iraqis.Recently, guests at the Ohio Holstein Association convention dinner at the Berlin Hickory Smokehouse, in Berlin, were privileged to hear Lynch's story, told in her own words. Lynch was brought to the banquet via the efforts of Don Alexander, association general manager, who is a friend of Lynch's public relations contact.
Lynch had joined the military shortly after she graduated from high school, with the hopes that she could then afford a college education. After her first term was up, she re-enlisted. In February 2003, she was deployed to Kuwait, and in March of 2003, her unit went to Iraq.
On March 23, Lynch was part of the 507th Maintenance Company, whose 32 soldiers and 18 vehicles were en route to resupply the 3rd Infantry Division, when they became lost due to a faulty global positioning system (GPS). She was riding in a Humvee being driven by her best friend and fellow soldier, Lori Piestewa, because her own vehicle had broken down. Several wrong turns had placed them squarely in the path of a full-fledged ambush.
"I just knew we were going to die," stated Lynch. "There was screaming, and soldiers running for cover. Blood ran down the sides of the trucks, into the streets."
Lynch credits a moment of prayer for saving her life.
"I lowered my head and began to pray for Lori, for our safety, and for my comrades," said Lynch. "That bowing of my head probably saved my life. A rocket propelled grenade was fired into our truck, and we slammed into an 18-wheeler. I remembered no more. I awoke in a hospital bed. I was so scared to see all the Iraqis staring at me. I tried to communicate, but they barely spoke any English."
There were several occasions when Lynch was loaded into an ambulance for an unknown destination, only to be turned back to the hospital by Iraqi military fire. She related that it was not until later that she discovered her caregivers were attempting to return her to American forces.
"I also remember being taken to the hospital operating room, to have my leg amputated. But it didn't happen," she stated, as she told of her subsequent fear of having any anesthetic mask placed over her face.
"On April 1, 2003, I was locked in my room, with two Iraqi men keeping guard. I could hear a lot of commotion. I prayed, 'please, God, do not let this building be bombed!' I heard screams outside the door, and I was frightened. The door opened, and then I heard these words: 'We are American soldiers, and we are here to take you home.' I remember saying, 'yeah, I'm a soldier, too.' They rescued me, and also dug up my comrades' bodies found in a shallow grave just outside the hospital." Lori Piestewa was one of those who had not survived. Lynch was flown back to Germany, where she underwent surgery for her many injuries.
"After the attack, I was unconscious for about three hours, and soldiers found my uniform in a palace a few hours away. It is unclear to me how all my bones were broken. My dad says that when I was in Germany, I talked to him on the phone and said that a man had broken my arm. I don't remember that now," Lynch related. "Overcoming my fear and realizing that I was truly safe was hard. There I was, at 20 years old, sitting in a wheelchair, realizing that one moment (in my life) had changed everything."
When she was stable, Lynch was flown back to the United States. "That welcome home and all of those prayers was exactly what I needed," she stated, smiling softly. Since that time, Lynch has had more than 20 surgeries, seven of which were on her right foot alone. The young woman must now wear a brace to walk.
As a former prisoner of war, Lynch has a renewed understanding of the importance of home and family. "The saying, 'There's no place like home,' it is true," she stated. "I longed to be home. I am so glad that I am alive, and glad to be an American soldier."