We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster ebook.
* * *
Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.
INDEX
A note about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the print edition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to the beginning of that page in the print edition. For a comprehensive list of locations of any word or phrase, use your reading system’s search function.
Abdelfattah, Ragaei, 97, 162, 166
death of, 109, 120, 127
Abdelfattah family, loss in, 109, 127, 146, 152, 162, 170
Able Main, COP, 55, 72
Achères, France, 5
Afghanistan:
climate hardships of, 31–32, 35, 50–51, 69, 90, 100
Flo evacuated from, 111–20
homeland communication from, 25, 48, 93
landscape and terrain of, 35, 45, 69–70, 90
poverty of, 38–39
protest against Quran burning incident in, 79–80
Soviet Union in, 45, 48, 51, 52
Afghanistan, Flo’s first tour in, 17, 80, 88, 98, 144, 154
arrival in, 19–23, 168
best moment of, 54
close calls and brushes with death in, 61–67
command experiences in, 43–59, 61–77
end of, 76–77, 81
first combat experience in, 27–28
first solo mission in, 30–34
horrors of war in, 56–59, 76
pervasive threat and constant danger in, 30, 43–59, 61–77, 80
rookie experiences in, 19–34, 35–41
second tour compared to, 79–84
Afghanistan, Flo’s second tour in, 77, 79–94, 95–110, 141
Asadabad suicide bombing in, see suicide bombing
diminished sense of threat and violence in, 80, 89
end of, 110
final mission of, 95–110
threat of complacency in, 89, 95
Afghan National Army (ANA), 24, 29, 88, 100, 102–3
betrayal by, 101
as poorly trained, 64
sacrifices and fatalities of, 85
vehicles of, 61–64
Ahmed (elder), 52–54
Air Force, US, 90–93
alcohol use, as emotional escape, 134, 145
Algeria:
Flo’s family in, 6–10, 14
radical Islamic terrorism in, 7–10, 14
Algerian War, 6–7
Allen, John, 79–80
All-Girls Schools:
Flo’s visit to, 53–54, 97
mortar fire fatalities at, 56–59
Alpha Company, QRF mission to support, 30–34
al Qaeda, 14, 21, 37, 49, 82, 85, 102
Amazon, 172
American Airlines Flight 77, 14
amputation, 127
option of, 120, 126, 135–36
amputees, quadruple, 127–28
Anaheim Fire Department, 171
Andersille, All-Girls School in, 52–54, 56, 76, 97
Anderson, Tommy, 157
Andrews Air Force Base, 121–22
Apocalypse Now, 75
Araya, Pablo, 171
Asadabad, 55
Asadabad security meeting:
Flo’s evacuation from, 113–15
Flo wounded at, 106–10
four fatalities of, see suicide bombing, four fallen heroes of
preparation for, 89–90, 95, 99–110
security strategy and concerns at, 100–105
terrorist attack at, see suicide bombing
Askew, Todd, 137
Bagram Airfield, 79, 83, 119–20
Baik, Alam, 85
Baker, Jamie, 158
Balderrama, Daniel, 99, 107–9, 133, 157, 163
Flo’s tribute to, 169
Baltimore Orioles, 141–42
Bartle, Nick, 172
Bataan Death March, 113
Benghazi, terrorist attack and murders in, 128–29
Bethesda, Md., 121, 134
Flo’s home in, 141
Groberg family’s home in, 8–9, 23, 36
Bible, 91–92
bin Laden, Osama, 14, 82, 122
Black Hawk helicopters, 83, 91
Blanck, Ryan, 140–41
Blessing, Forward Operating Base (FOB), 19–23, 30, 51, 61, 64, 75–76
demise and rebuilding of, 81–82
Blessing, Jay, 21
Blue Star families, 151
Boeing Company, Flo’s career at, 172–73
boots, symbolic significance of, 116–17, 126
Bosnia, 87
bracelet, as Flo’s memorial to fallen heroes, 143–44, 147, 163
Brink, Brian, 99, 102–4, 107, 110, 111, 133, 143, 155, 157, 162
Flo’s tribute to, 168–69
Brooke Army Medical Center, 121
Bush, George H. W., 6
Bush, George W., 160
business cards, in Afghan villagers’ setup, 38, 41
Call, Greg, 172
Call of Duty (game), 141
camaraderie:
at Medal of Honor ceremony, 154
morale boosting through, 2, 4, 11, 16, 22–23, 158
of shared danger, 67, 77, 113, 118, 125, 168–69
Campbell, Private, 22–23
Capasso, Lieutenant, 30
Carlin, Steve, 158
Carsen (Flo’s girlfriend):
Flo’s initial meeting with of, 143–45
Flo’s relationship with, 146, 150, 152, 154–56, 159–60, 165, 171
Carter, Ash, 168
Center for the Intrepid, 140
Chapa Dara, 30
Chechnya, Chechnyans, 37, 48–50
Chicago Bears, 12, 130, 159
Chicago Police Department, 171
children:
as casualties of war, 56–59, 67
in combat areas, 50, 53–55, 97
as Taliban collaborators, 72–73
Chinook helicopters, 86
Chosen Company, 3rd Platoon, 28
Christianity, in Flo’s family, 7
Christmas, 9, 171
mail truck attack on, 51
Clinton, Bill, 6
“clips” (fuel truck convoys), 61–64, 72, 75
Congressional Medal of Honor, 2, 157–58
aftermath of, 167–73
award ceremony for, 149–51, 156–66, 170, 172
bestowing of, 164–65
Flo recommended for, 147, 151–57
Flo’s conflicting emotions about, 153–54, 166
Flo’s responsibilities as holder of, 167
formal announcement of, 152–53
significance of, 151, 171
tour, 171
contractors:
Afghan, 48
CIA, 128
Defense Department, 84
US security, 100, 102
Cortez, Private, 27, 70, 72–73
Couture, Robert, 171
cows, value of children vs., 58–59
Cutler, Jay, 130
Dagger Company, 4th Platoon, 21–22, 25, 28, 30–34, 43, 56, 61, 76, 80
Dairon (Taliban commander), 28, 31, 44, 47, 51, 61, 68, 72, 76, 83, 89
death of, 144
failed bombing raid on, 82
Davis, Jonathan, 112–13, 120
“death march,” 1–4, 11–12, 21
Defense Department, US, 84, 140, 145
Flo’s career at, 146, 172
military directives of, 72, 76, 81–82
Dement, Sergeant, 57, 73–74
Diamond (nurse), 125, 126
Distinguished Service Cross, 146
Doherty, Glen, 128–29
Dover Air Force Base, 66
Dragunov rifle, 48, 50
drug use:
for pain, 111–12, 116, 117, 119–20, 123, 126, 129
for sleep, 124, 134–35, 142, 145
“D team” (Taliban), winter attacks by, 51–52
Egypt, 97, 162
Eisenhower, Dwight D., 5
elders:
evolving respect of, for US Army, 71
village role of, 26, 38–40, 48, 50, 52–55, 57–59, 73
Ellen (nurse), 125–26
English language:
in Afghan school, 54
as challenge in Flo’s early years, 8–9, 23–24, 136
explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), 83
Fanning, Eric, 171
FDNY, 171
Fenty, FOB, 81, 83, 86–87, 126
military hospital at, 118–19
Fenty, Joseph, 83
Fiaz, FOB, security meeting at, 95–96, 99–102
“Finish strong” motto, 91, 94
Finley, James Matthew, 84
Finley-Shields, FOB, attack on, 84–85
firefights, 27–28, 32–33, 48–49, 62–67, 72, 74, 84
flashbacks, 113, 122–24
Forgione, Adam, 158
Fort Carson, 22, 80, 82, 87, 98, 121, 171
Flo’s Afghanistan unit’s homecoming at, 133–34, 154
Fort Sam Houston, 140
4th Infantry Division, Brigade Combat Team, 80, 163
Fox & Friends (TV show), 171
France, 120
Flo’s childhood in, 4–11, 52, 153
“Freak on a Leash,” 31, 112
Gallardo, Erick, 2–4, 11, 16, 25, 158
Gase, Adam, 171
Germany, medical evacuation to, 111–13, 120, 159
Giunta, Salvatore, 2, 157–58
Glotzbach, John, 171
Gold Star families, 109, 161, 167
closure for, 146
courage of, 134, 151, 158
Flo’s tribute to, 170–71
Gray, Ava, 158, 166, 167
Gray, David, 90–94, 97, 161, 166, 167
death of, 109, 120, 127
near drowning of, 91–92
Gray, Garrett, 91, 158, 166, 167
Gray, Heather, 91–93, 134, 152, 158, 167
Gray, Nyah, 92, 158, 166, 167
Gray family, 170–71
loss in, 109, 127, 146
at Medal of Honor award ceremony, 149–50, 152, 165
religious faith of, 91–94, 155–56
Griffin, Dane, 87, 158, 166
Griffin, Kevin, 83, 84–89, 99, 158, 161, 166, 169
in Asadabad suicide bombing, 101–2, 106, 108
death of, 108, 109, 120, 127
Flo’s admiration for, 88–89, 94, 117, 134
as Flo’s mentor, 86
heroism of, 101–2, 109, 117–18
military history of, 87–88
Griffin, Kylie, 87, 158, 166
Griffin, Pamela, 87, 88, 134, 152, 158
Griffin family, 146, 170–71
close bond within, 87–88, 109
at Medal of Honor award ceremony, 149–50, 162, 165
Groberg, Florent “Flo”:
birth of, 6
determination of, 11–12, 14–15, 24, 128
early lack of confidence of, 23–24
family background and early years of, 4–11, 23–24
higher education and master’s degree of, 137, 139, 146
as immigrant to US, 7, 15, 23–24
military training of, 1–4, 11–13, 15–17
as runner, 126, 136, 140
value system of, 7–10, 14–15, 65
Groberg, Florent “Flo,” leg wound of:
amputation option for, 120–21
inflicting of, 106–10
ongoing pain and medical complications of, 131, 134–37, 139–40, 142, 150, 159, 161, 163–66, 167
as permanent disability, 128
physical therapy for, 136–37
surgeries for, 120–22, 126, 127, 131, 139, 141
treatment of, 114–15, 119–21, 125–26
Groberg, Florent “Flo,” military career:
in Afghanistan, see Afghanistan, Flo’s first tour in; Afghanistan, Flo’s second tour in
combat command role and leadership responsibilities of, 20–22, 26, 29, 31–34, 38, 63, 76–77, 83, 84, 95
early aspirations of, 4–11, 13–15, 19
end of, 110, 117, 118
everyday challenges of, 141–42
Flo’s “eight seconds of courage” in, 105–10, 121, 158, 162–63
as Medal of Honor recipient, see Congressional Medal of Honor
promotion of, 80, 89, 95, 110
Purple Heart awarded to, 119
rookie learning period of, 19–34, 35–41
security role and responsibility in, 80–85, 87, 95–96, 99–106, 121
Groberg, Florent “Flo,” as wounded veteran:
depression and grief of, 117–18, 120–24, 128, 133–36, 155
initial medical treatment of, 111–19
master’s degree pursued by, 137, 139, 146
in mission to honor four fallen heroes, 117, 120, 127–28, 131, 144, 147, 155, 164, 166, 169–70
return to social life of, 141–47
suicidal thoughts of, 124, 128
in transition to civilian life, 136–47, 171–73
two life changing decisions of, 137
Groberg, Klara, 13–15, 24, 121–23, 125, 129, 151, 156, 159, 165
Algerian family of, 6–10
parenting concerns of, 5, 52, 119–20, 162
Groberg, Larry, 8–15, 119, 121–23, 125, 129, 150, 151–52, 156, 159, 165
ideals instilled by, 14–15, 24, 25
Groupe Islamique Armé (GIA), 7–10, 14
Hall of Heroes, Flo’s induction into, 168–71
hallucinations, 12, 21, 112, 124
Hancock, Jason, 85
Haqqani Network, 125, 133
helicopters, 19–20, 75–76, 81, 83, 86, 90, 95–97, 117
Hetherington, Tim, 72
Hindu Kush, 90
Honaker, Christopher, 24–25
Honaker-Miracle, Combat Outpost (COP):
Flo’s routine at, 47–48
Flo stationed at, 21–34, 43–59, 61–77, 81, 83
unpleasant conditions at, 35–36
humanitarianism, 52–55, 58, 76, 97
Human Resources Command, 89
as counter to hardship, 12, 36–37, 40, 45–47
Flo as butt of, 31, 40–41
of Gray, 93
of Obama, 159, 166
Hurley, Paul K., 150
immigrants, adaptation challenges of, 7–9, 15, 23–24, 136
improvised explosive device (IED), 26, 30, 32, 82–83, 89, 127
intelligence, Flo’s career in, 137–38, 140
Intelligence Policies, Flo’s masters degree in, 137–38
intelligence reports, 49
trade-offs in, 38–39
Intelligent Waves, 138
Internet:
in communication, 93, 119
unreliable, 35
Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO), 140
Iraq War, 57, 82, 87, 98, 111, 158
Islam:
in Flo’s family, 7
gender separation in, 53
radical terrorism of, 7–10, 13–14
tenets of, 7, 10, 50, 52, 79
Islamic State (ISIS), 8
Jalalabad, 34, 72, 81, 84, 95, 117, 126
Jensen, Sergeant, 114–15, 133, 157
Jernigan (radio man), 45
Jones (soldier), 29–30
Joyce, Kitchi, 158
Junger, Sebastian, 72
Kabul, 119
Kara (wound care specialist), 139–40
Kennedy, Brody and Margaret “Maggie,” 98–99, 158, 166
Kennedy, George, Jr., 98, 158, 161
Kennedy, George and Patricia, 158
Kennedy, John, 98, 158, 161
Kennedy, Kami, 98–99, 134, 152, 158
Kennedy, Tom “TK,” 90, 97–99, 161, 166
death of, 109, 120, 127
Kennedy family, 98–99, 146, 170–71
loss in, 109, 127
at Medal of Honor award ceremony, 149, 162, 165
key leader engagements (KLEs), 52, 80–81, 83, 89–90
Kiowa helicopters, 75–76
Korengal Valley, 2, 72, 81, 158
Korn, 31, 112–13, 120, 159
Kunar Province, 33, 52, 55, 80–81, 91, 95
Lackland Air Force Base, 91
Laghman Province, 80
Lahreche, Abd Alillah “Uncle Abdou”:
death of, 9–11, 13–14, 65
Flo’s inspirational relationship with, 6–11, 13–15, 19, 165
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, 112–13
Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The (TV show), 171
Laughlin Air Force Base, Gray’s accident at, 91–92
leg brace, 140
Libya, 128–29
limb salvage, amputation vs., 135–36, 139, 141
LinkedIn, 172
liver damage, 134
Los Angeles, Calif., 171
luck, in life-or-death moment, 65–69, 74, 76, 109
McCain, Sergeant, 114–15, 133, 157
McPhee, Jason, 157
McPhee (Army specialist), 36–37, 157
McRaven, William, 122, 131
Mahoney, Andrew, 90–91, 96–97, 99, 118, 133, 157, 163
Flo’s Tribute to, 169
mail truck, Taliban attack on, 51
Martinez, Louis, 37, 39, 44, 46, 55, 73
Maryland, University of, 28, 46–47, 67, 104, 137, 141
Maryland, University of, University College (UMUC), 137
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 97
Masri-Cohen, Ben, 171
Mauldin, Sergeant, 27, 41, 56, 62
Max (Carsen’s brother), 156
media, Medal of Honor coverage by, 153, 171, 172
Mexico, Flo and Thompson’s post-deployment vacation in, 76–77
Michigan, COP, 46, 61, 63–64, 72, 81–82
military, US:
casualties of, 19, 71, 81
challenge of transition to civilian life from, 136–47, 172
dependence on training in, 34, 70, 105
families of, 87, 98–99
as Flo’s early aspiration, 4–11, 13–15, 19, 128
in humanitarian outreach to Afghan locals, 52–55, 58, 76
poor image of, 79–80
rank vs. experience in, 29–30
training levels in, 4
see also specific institutions and divisions
military technology, 27–28, 40, 49
Miller, Captain, 82
Miller, Hugh, 157
Mills, Chloe, 127
Mills, Kelsey, 127
Mimiaga, Marie, 142–44