Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla - The CENTCOM Commander in charge of executing yesterday one of several operation plans that he presented to President Trump - was shot 3 times in Iraq some years ago - and it was captured on film by former Green Beret Michael Yon who was embedded as a journalist - after personal vetting and approval by then-LTC Kurilla.
Shot in an arm and both legs - including a shattered femur - then-LTC Kurilla kept firing on the target, barking out orders to two unresponsive, apparently frozen-in-fear Army members, and even - eventually - directing the medics.
Then-CSM Robert Pressor arrived in the nick of time, stormed the shop solo - unloading his weapon and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, from all appearances saving then-LTC Kurilla's life.
Both now-General Kurilla and his would-be killer were operated on at the same time, at the same Cash, by American military surgeons.
It's a compelling, first-hand account in a blog entry by gifted writer Michael Yon - with his photos of then-LTC Kurilla shooting from his injured position, in the open, on the ground.
Well worth the read.
https://michaelyon.blogspot.com/2005/08/gates-of-fire.html?m=1
That is a part of who our current CENTCOM Commander is - the man who strategized with the President's team, and supervised the execution of, the mission in Iran yesterday. A true leader among leaders.
o7 - to all involved - including the mechanics and maintenence personnel on all of the aircraft involved!
All photos are Copyright Michael Yon 2025
Screenshoots of text are from Michael Yon's blog==
https://michaelyon.blogspot.com/2005/08/gates-of-fire.html?m=1