My Men are My Heroes (32 page)

M1A2 C-22 from “Charlie” Trp., 2/7 Cavalry, U.S. Army, closes up on a house in Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr/ Phantom Fury.

U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle

U.S. Navy corpsman treats a wounded Marine at RCT-1 Battalion Aid Station in northwestern Fallujah, 5 November 2004.

U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl Theresa M. Medina

2/7 Cavalry crossing Phase Line Beth with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during Operation Al Fajr.

U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle

Sketch of “Hell House” at Fallujah where Kasal and Cpl Robert R. J. Mitchell earned Navy Crosses in the same engagement on 13 November 2005.

Courtesy SgtMaj Brad Kasal

Airstrike on fortified building holding up drive through Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr/Phantom Fury. U.S. Army armor was essential to break through heavily fortified positions of resisting insurgents.

U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle

Weapons Platoon K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, takes a break on the roof of a house during heavy fighting in Fallujah. The Marines used every weapon in their arsenal to crush heavily fortified al Qaeda–led insurgent fighters.

U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle

Front side of Fallujah train station where 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, RCT-1, and U.S. Army tanks from Task Force 2/7 spearheaded the drive into the fortified city of Fallujah.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones

50-cal. M2 heavy machine gun on Marine Corps M2A1 main battle tank. The heavy armor of the Marines and U.S. Army Task Force 2/7 Cavalry was essential for breaking through heavy lines of resistance at Fallujah. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment was supported by 2nd Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry when driving down Route Henry to divide enemy forces.

U.S. Army photo by SSG Alfred Furdle

SgtMaj Bradley Kasal celebrating with father Gerald (foreground) and family members after a joint resolution read before both chambers of the Iowa Legislature. At the time Kasal's leg was still on the mend. His father died of cancer soon after this picture was taken.

Photo courtesy Nat Helms

Portrait of SgtMaj Bradley Kasal.

Photo courtesy Nat Helms

Flattened house in the Nazal district of Fallujah following fighting between al Qaeda–financed insurgency and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 11 November 2004.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones

3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment commanding officer LtCol Willard “Willie” Buhl confers with GEN George Casey, USA, commander of all forces in Iraq, 11 November 2004.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Ryan L. Jones