Fallen Brothers in Arms of

Devon Gibbons    

Letters, Info and Words of Support

     This page is for letters, words of support, prayers, information and updates about the brave men who fell in the battle in which Devon was hurt. Please send any prayers, pictures, information, thoughts, or words of comfort and support to devonsourhero@wethegibbons.org. I will post them for the friends and families, (and the many millions of supporters) of these brave fallen heroes who gave their lives that we might have freedom. May God richly bless all you family and friends of these HEROES.

The Attack Details

Part of an Article From NewsReview.Info
U.S. Army Pfc. Dean Bright of Sutherlin was on patrol with his men when a remote-controlled improvised explosive device detonated just 15 yards away from his Bradley tank.

"The whole Bradley floor lifted up and smoke came through the floor," said Bright during an online interview this week.

In Sutherlin, Bright, now 32, was a city council member in 2000 and 2001, a former baseball coach and an umpire.

In Taji, Iraq, his home is Camp Concho, a base shared by U.S. and Estonian soldiers. He is sent on patrols, or stands guard for four hours at a tower machine gun with another soldier. They trade shifts and sleep only four hours at a time. He acts like a policeman to enforce the 10 p.m. curfew.

On April 11, Bright and three other men from his platoon searched a nearby house to find the trigger man for the IED while 17 others remained in one of the two Humvees and two Bradley tanks for security, if it was needed.

Norma Lane, Bright's mother, also of Sutherlin, remembers her son telling the rest of the story.

"That day, when he finally told me what happened, we talked all that day. That was probably the longest, hardest day I had in a whole long time," she said

Bright's platoon had left Camp Concho at 9 in the morning to go to three locations and, if possible, arrest insurgents. They were on their way to the second location when they were attacked. The search for the trigger man proved unsuccessful, and the platoon headed back to camp, unable to travel to the third location.

"We were not even a mile away from the house we just left when my commander of the Bradley started yelling in the radio back to us, 'Oh my God, they have been hit'," Bright said.

He stood up from his position in the rear dismount of his Bradley and looked through the glass peephole and saw the other tank, a lightweight reconnaissance vehicle, on fire and with the entire rear half destroyed.

"All I thought (was) 'My best friend's in there," said Bright, who jumped out with another man, running toward the burning vehicle.

It had been hit by a 600-pound C-4 explosive buried 5 feet deep in the ground and detonated remotely. His best friend, Pfc. Devon Gibbons, 19, of Port Orchard, Wash., had been the driver of the attacked tank.

"I kicked open the back door and saw the Bradley up on its side with the driver hatch up in the air. My best friend, Pfc. Gibbons, was hanging upside down, his legs caught on the inside," Bright said.

He ran toward the wreck. One of the men, Staff Sgt. Pio Paau of American Samoa, was blown out of the tank's hatch into a ditch 30 yards away. Both his legs had third-degree burns and one of them was broken. Three other men, along with Gibbons, were inside the Bradley while 100 gallons of diesel fuel burned and heated loose ammunition enough to explode at random.

"The fire was so intense my back caught on fire, but I was wearing my flak jacket and Kevlar. Gibbons had nothing on, all his clothes already burned off ... it was awful." Other soldiers from the platoon ran to the rescue attempt.

One man cut Gibbon's belt after it became caught, and four men carried him to safety, retrieved Paau, and retreated to a distance about 100 yards away. The men were under further attack by eight to 11 suspected insurgents armed with AK-47s. They were cut off from the rest of the platoon, and had to wait until reinforcements and medical care arrived.

"I don't think I am a hero. Everyone else keeps telling me and the other guys that (we are), but I know (Pfc. Devon) Gibbons. He would have risked his life for me in a heartbeat. I didn't think about it, it just happened. Now I think about it, it scares the hell out of me,"
U.S. Army Pfc. Dean Bright, of Sutherlin
 

"See, the insurgents are smart. They buried (the explosive) in the road right at a bend. On both sides was a canal ... so the Bradley had to drive over the C-4 (because) it was only narrow enough for the Bradley to cross," Bright said.

Two Blackhawk helicopters airlifted Gibbons and Paau away. It is now believed the C-4 was buried months ago.

"When two Army Apache helicopters showed up, they flushed (the) suspects out. They were laying hiding in a ditch," Bright said.

Gibbons was flown to Germany and is now in a burn unit in Texas. His legs and an arm were later amputated, and it was found shortly after he was rescued that his back had also been broken. He is now alert and talking. Paau is also in Texas recovering.

Pfc. George R. Roehl Jr., 21, Manchester, N.H.; Pfc. James F. Costello III, 27, St. Louis; and Cpl. Joseph A. Blanco, 25, Bloomington, Calif., all perished in the tank, unable to be rescued.

"Blanco (was) on stop loss, which means he was supposed to have been out but he had to finish this tour first. He had already served one year here back in 2003," Bright said.
Full Story at  http://www.newsreview.info/article/20060420/NEWS/104200113/0/FRONTPAGE
 

An Article about Devon's Outfit Before Being Deployed

Ft. Hood's 4th Infantry Division deployed to Iraq

 
Written: Feb, 2006
Since Ft. Hood’s 4th Infantry Division deployed to Iraq in November, 19 of its soldiers have been killed and dozens of others severely injured.

However, division officials say there is still a job to be done, and on Thursday they welcomed about a hundred soldiers who are deploying to Iraq to replace the dead and injured.

Nineteen year old Private Devon Gibbons arrived at Ft. Hood five days ago, this is his first duty station, his next will be Iraq.

“It really hasn’t hit me yet… I’m sure once the bullets start flying and I am actually there it will change… But I am prepared as much as I can be,” said Devon Gibbons.

Gibbons, along with the rest of the 4th ID soldiers are the replacements.

“These guys will replenish them and fill certain empty spots that may have been in the division since they deployed,” said Col. Dick Francey. “Each and everyone of them are tough losses… I wouldn’t say that it’s because we’ve had so many its harder each and everyone of them are individually tough by themselves,” said Francey. “So they can take over the fight.” ....

Letter from Jamie's Parents, (Jamie Was in the Bradley With Devon): 4-24-06

(Jamie Costello is a true hero, and one who made the ultimate sacrifice for you and I).

Dearest Devon and family,

Our names are Marie and Jim Costello, and first and foremost we Pray to the Lord that he heal Devon soon and that he doesn't suffer too much pain.  I know he has a long road ahead of him, but from all accounts he is a true warrior and hero, not unlike our son Jamie who was in that Bradley with him. 

We just buried Jamie on Friday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full honors.  It was by far the hardest thing we've ever had to do, but the outpouring support of our community and entire city of St Louis has been overwhelming.  I know Devon is getting the same support and he will be in my prayers daily.  I truly feel in my heart that Devon will survive this tragic accident and will remain strong as he always has been. 

Your son, brother, nephew, reminds me of Jamie in his resolve regarding the war in Iraq.  Jamie was 25 when he enlisted leaving a lucrative job at the Post Office.  He just felt like he needed to help and just could not sit on the side lines.  God was merciful to Jamie as we've been told he didn't suffer.  I pray God shows mercy to Devon and heals him quickly so he can go on living and doing for the other brothers lost in the Bradley.  Words are hard to express at this time, but be assured,  I will light a candle at Mass for Devon today and will plead with the Lord that he spare him, make him strong and give all his friends and family  faith, resolve and, continued Hope!   Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Well, we've got to run.  Thanks again!

God Bless,
Marie and Jim Costello

Letter From Patriot Guard Riders: 4-25-06

Today the Patriot Guard Riders were honored to be invited by the family of Cpl Joseph Blanco - To ride as motorcade escorts between his funeral and burial service...
 Knowing Devon and Joseph were serving together - We wanted to express our deepest gratitude for both young men's service and dedication to our great country...
 Our thoughts and support are with Devon - So that he will continue to make his remarkable recovery - And we would be humbled to stand with him in honoring his fallen brothers...
 
Thank you, 
 Danny C. Flucke Jr.
SoCal Mission Coordinator
And Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Riders

A Letter From a Soldiers Sister: 4-25-06

To Devon and the Gibbons family-

I wanted to send my most sincere thoughts and prayers as you continue your long vigil towards Devon's recovery. I am the sister of SPC James F. Costello III, who was killed in the attack. My brother is our hero just as Devon is your hero and I wish you nothing but the best. Hopefully one day my family will have the opportunity to meet Devon and the rest of the B-troop soldiers that served alongside my brother. I will continue to pray for you all daily.

Sincerely,

Catie Costello

 
Email comments, postings, pictures, info, encouragements, etc. to devonsourhero@wethegibbons.org