An American medic in a French tale

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—In eastern Afghanistan’s Surobi’s District, Kapisa Province Oct. 4, insurgent machine gun fire tore into the throat of French Pvt. 1st Class Kevin V. during Operation Rapier II. 

French military rules prohibit the complete identification of deployed French troops.

French Master Cpl. Michael M., a combat life saver with French Battle Group 15/2, Task Force La Fayette, immediately reached his position.

“The bullet pierced his larynx without touching artery or vertebra,” said Master Cpl. Michael.  “Suddenly, while we were evacuating him to what was supposed to be the (helicopter landing) zone, he fell unconscious.”
 
Their position was under insurgent fire a few minutes before, and the threat of enemy coming back was real; the medical evacuation helicopter meant for the wounded French trooper could not land.

The decision the American medevac team from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade made, hovering over Hill 2470, weighed risk against the life of the French private.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Erin Gipson, a flight medic from Piqua, Ohio, with Task Force Poseidon, attached herself to the UH-60 Blackhawk’s external winch and began the descent to the mountain’s slope.

“Surprises always come in small packages,” laughed U.S. Army Maj. Graham Bundy, from Holly Springs, N.C., Gipson’s company commander. 

As Kevin regained consciousness, he saw Gipson come down from the sky and lift him to safety. He whispered later that she looked like an angel to him.

The French Soldier is considered a lucky man.  With help from the U.S. flight medics, he was immediately flown to a Coalition hospital in Kabul where a specialist began surgery.  He is now able to eat and speak.

“This is an amazing story; almost too good to be true, but there it is,” said French Col. Jeand’heur, commander of French Battle Group 15/2.  

For her part in the rescue, Col. Jeand’heur, along with Kevin’s company commander, platoon leader and Master Cpl. Michael, presented Gipson with a letter of commendation in a small ceremony, Oct. 28, on Bagram.

For the French Soldiers of TF La Fayette, Gipson has become their combat angel.