Combat Experience with the .45 ACP

[Pilgrim]

I found this very interesting:


Combat Experience with the .45 ACP

Oft times, comments on this net are about GySgt. Carlos Hathcock’s sniping
adventures in Vietnam. Here’s one that very few know about, but is
probably just as good as far as accuracy during combat is concerned.

A Navy SEAL Team was returning from a mission over North Vietnam in a
chopper when it got hit pretty bad. The pilot and one crew member were
killed and the copilot was wounded. Going into autorotation, the copilot
managed to set the chopper down in a clearing. After landing, a few rounds
of enemy fire were starting to come in. Seems the M60s were also damaged
beyond use by the crash landing and initial RPG hit, the only M16 fell out
on the way down.

The only firearms left was M1911s.The remaining crew member was carrying a
match conditioned M1911 and had a few boxes of ammo. As more enemy small
arms fire started coming in, the copilot and crew member also noted that
the VC were coming out of the jungle and approaching them; shooting as
they came. The crew member took out his .45 and took careful aim as he
shot at each attacking VC. About 30 minutes later it was all over. Between
reloading magazines and radioing for rescue, the copilot was pretty busy,
but a rescue chopper finally arrived on the scene.

As the rescue chopper came in and landed, its crew noticed a lot of dead
VC laying around. The downed helo’s remaining crew were picked up and on
their way out, they counted the dead VC; 37 in all. Their distances from
the downed helo were from 3 to about 150 yards; all shot by the crew
member with his M1911 .45 ACP. About 80 rounds were fired by Petty Officer
R.J. Thomas, a member of the USN Rifle and Pistol Team.

Petty Officer Thomas was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor,
but by the time the recommendation got all the way up through the chain of
command, the recognition was reduced to the Navy Cross.

This incident has been cited this as the only known of example of
top-level combat marksmanship since SGT Alvin York’s escapades in WWI.

Submitted by Mark Eberhard-CEO & President
LtCol. USMCR (Ret.)
American Marksman Group
(850) 626-9963
Visit: www.americanmarksman.com

 

[Admin]

Petty Officer
R.J. Thomas, a member of the USN Rifle and Pistol Team.

But I've heard grunts tell me Military shooting team training has no application in combat...

 

[Len-2A Training]

Pretty cool story!

Good marksmanship training is never wasted, except perhaps on REMFs!

 

[bpm990d]

Pilgrim,

I’ve read that before, but I always appreciate seeing it again.

But I've heard grunts tell me Military shooting team training has no application in combat...

The funny thing is; it isn’t the enemy that that ever underestimates the capabilities of some of the team shooters. The ones that were unwitting enough to trade shots with team members typically end up dead, right quick.

It’s the know-it-alls on your own side that will poo-poo any thing that a yellow glasses shooter could possibly do.

B

Ankle-Biters!

 

[centermass181]

makes it sound like the navy cross isnt significant.........I mean I realize its the Navy and all....

 

[JonJ]

Outstanding!

 

[Lynne]

 

[Nickle]

Seems I heard a story about a 1965 Match winner (Wimbledon Cup sp?) at Camp Perry going on to distinquish himself in Vietnam. I believe the Marine's name was Carlos Hathcock.

So much for "shooters" making lousy Combat Soldiers.

 

[bpm990d]

Seems I heard a story about a 1965 Match winner (Wimbledon Cup sp?) at Camp Perry going on to distinquish himself in Vietnam. I believe the Marine's name was Carlos Hathcock.

So much for "shooters" making lousy Combat Soldiers.

Howdy Nickle, Hope things are going well.

There is also a Marine that set the 1000 point individual record back in 1968. It has never been broken. His name is Eric England. The Phantom of Phu Bai http://www.members.tripod.com/DickNixon76/scoutsniper.htm

The record was set the year they converted over to the new targets from the 5V targets.
http://www.nrahq.org/compete/natl_records.asp