Master Sergeant Gary Gordon made a choice on October 3, 1993, in the disorderly streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, that would always mark him as a military hero. Gordon participated in a raid to seize important commanders of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s militia during Operation Gothic Serpent. Originally intended to be a brief mission, the 18-hour fighting that resulted is remembered today as the Battle of Mogadishu or “Black Hawk Down.”
The state of affairs in Mogadishu
Somalia was in anarchy by the early 1990s. Widespread hunger and anarchy resulted from warlords like Aidid ruling the streets of Mogadishu after the central authority failed. With an eye toward humanitarian relief and order restoration, the United States interfered. But the objective soon turned into a bloody struggle with Aidid’s militia.
Launched to seize Aidid’s leading lieutennants, Operation Gothic Serpent Tasked with raiding a structure in Mogadishu, U.S. forces including Army Rangers and Delta Force operatives on October 3 But the expedition turned tragically when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by Somali militants using RPGs.
Gordon’s choice and the downed helicopter
Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant’s Super Six-Four chopper crashed far within the city. The crew’s survival was unknown, and Somali fighters gathered on the location fast. Gary Gordon and fellow Delta Force sniper Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart saw the collision from their aircraft above and knew the terrible circumstances below.
Gordon constantly asked permission to be placed on the ground to protect the crash scene since he knew the crew was in immediate danger. After two denials, their request was at last allowed despite the great risk.
Gordon and Shughart fell roughly one hundred meters from the collision point. Equipped just with their own guns and a few ammo magazines, they battled their way to the grounded chopper. When they arrived at the wreckage, Durant was hurt but alive; most of the crew was dead.
The Last Turn
Gordon and Shughart arranged a defense around the helicopter and Durant. They battled heroically to defend Durant with few weapons and too many Somali fighters pressing in. As they were outnumbered and outgunned, their best efforts proved insufficient to turn the situation from progressively bad.
Later reports from Durant indicate that Gordon gave Gordon his rifle since he knew their position was soon to be taken over. Gordon and Shughart defended the crash site until the oncoming militia finally killed them. But Durant’s deeds let him survive long enough for Somali forces to capture him; later on, they freed him.
Aftermath and Legacy
The next day when U.S. soldiers arrived at the crash scene, Gordon and Shughart were surrounded by dead Somali fighters they had battled off. Their noble deeds were honored with the highest military distinction—the Medal of Honor—given postmortem.
praising Gordon and Shughart for their bravery, the Medal of Honor citation said that their acts inspired their colleagues and helped Chief Warrant Officer Durant to survive. Their giving came to represent the bravery and commitment of the American troops.
Recollecting Gary Gordon
Gary Gordon’s biography is one of great selflessness and sacrifice, not only of military bravery. He left behind two children and a wife, a family that will always be grieving the death of a husband and father. Soldiers and citizens both still find inspiration in his deeds that day in Mogadishu.
Significant death on both sides of the Battle of Mogadishu had long-lasting effects on U.S. military tactics. Still, it also emphasized the incredible bravery of men like Gary Gordon, who voluntarily put all on line to guard their fellow troops.
Gordon’s impact endures today in military circles, in literature, and in the movie “Black Hawk Down.” His acts serve as a reminder of the military’s American values—duty, honor, and sacrifice—that define us. The narrative of Gary Gordon is a potent tribute to the valor of those who serve as well as a sobering reminder of the real cost of freedom.