22 May 2007 1330 hrs

I just arrived at Camp Phoenix, on the outskirts of the city Phoenix on a TDY from Muttrah city. And was sitting in the back of the E M Club nursing a Miller Draft, having just ordered a thick steak with all the trimmings.
When there was a commotion by the door, Major PCfloddy and Major Snitch came in calling for their men, The Merc's just invaded Phoenix!
Since I was TDY and not assigned a unit yet, I grabbed my medic gear and rushed out with my fellow USMC's thinking I would help out where I could. After a short but heavy firefight Major PCfloody's team made it to the train and took control.
We pushed on to the construction site and while tending to a heavy machine gunner who had a flesh wound, I took some shrapel and was knocked unconscious and was taken to the rear.
As I left the medice station and was on my way to the motor pool to try and hitch a ride back to the battle when this full bird col., Col. Asch came up to me and asked how I was doing. I answed fine Sir, and he remarked that I must be new as he didn't reconigzed. I told him I was just in from Muttrah City where I been working with the 1st MIP. he smiled at the mention of the 1st MIP and nodded. He asked who I was with now and I told him no one, he gave me an evil grin and said, well son, come with me and I'll fix that.
We walked oner the HQ where there was a small group of men waiting. Sgt.Fetterman COl. Asch said, here's your new squad, get ready to move out.
Err yes sir! I replyed. I looked at these young faces thinking oh god, what have I gotten myself in to, I never been a squad leader before, I'll get us all killed.
I went in to the HQ, grabbed a CO kit and we moved out north towards the construction site. upon passing the train we took fire from a lone merc who quickly died, he never had a chance, we had one of the new humves with a mounted 50. cal.
We dismounted and moved north one block east from construction to back up Major PCfloddy's team who was pinned down in a house while trying to advance on the last flag. The incoming fire was very intense, the mercs had the area mined amd claymored and were firing from a well protected gap in the fence. the firing increased and suddenly, we were all alone, one of my men said, they are crossing the road to the east and we are being flanked from the rear, Their are attacking train! another said. I knew then that we could not except any help. we on our own. I didn't know what to do, the firing had slowed down some and I am thinking, god I going to get us all killed. Suddenly I heard a voice in the back of my head, it was E male from the 1st MIP. it sounded like he was right there with me, {"if only we can get this last flag"} Suddenly I knew what to do, my time working with the 1st MIP took over, RIFLEMAN! smoke the hell out of that intersection. He must had tossed a dozen smokes, it looked like downtown LA in Cali. we moved out north leap frogging the way I was taught from the 1st, we got to the flag and quickly got it under USMC control. now the heat was on, the mercs had no flags left and came at us boiling mad! We fought hard, men cried out in pain and death, I was knocked down by a gernade blast seriuosly wounded, my men bravely fought on. we were all alone, Suddenly it was over. we kept the flag and the mercs were finished. USMC 32 - Mercs 0

I never did find out the names of the brave men I fought with. They fought in the best tradition of the USMC. They were the few, the proud. they were Marines!

{War Dairy of Sgt. fetterman}