02/18/2019
Another great Sunday hero story...
On July 13, 2013, while conducting a patrol in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, United States Air Force TSgt Patrick McGillivray and his team leader were ambushed by insurgents. As an EOD team member embedded with Special Forces, McGillivray was trained to remain calm in stressful situations. As the insurgents attacked from two sides with machine gun fire, he scrambled for cover behind a taxi cab and immediately engaged the enemy. Within a short time, the volume of enemy fire made the taxi ineffective as cover. While still under fire he sprinted to a nearby all-terrain vehicle and retrieved an M-240B machine gun and ammunition, repelling the attack and safeguarding more than 100 locals. Several weeks later, McGillivray and his team were attacked again while conducting another patrol. A rocket-propelled gr***de slammed into the side of McGillivray’s armored vehicle piercing its hull and showering the vehicle’s interior with fragmentation. Both the driver and vehicle commander suffered serious wounds from the explosion. McGillivray, along with his team leader and a medic, quickly removed the wounded from the vehicle and went to work to stop their bleeding. In the midst of caring for the wounded, McGillivray’s position came under fire again. McGillivray continued to render aid and helped carry two wounded soldiers more than 200 yards to a helicopter landing zone. Finally, on Aug. 25, 2013, McGillivray and his team were engaged by 25 enemy fighters. The enemy attackers were fortified in six separate fighting positions, forming a potentially lethal “kill box.” Despite being outmanned, McGillivray maintained his position and engaged the enemy. The fierce fire fight lasted six hours. In the end the team was able to repel the attack without a single casualty. As a result of his courage, heroism and selfless action under fire, McGillivray was nominated for the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal with Valor.
Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal
