Kirby risks life to save soldiers on Iraqi soil
|
As battalion surgeon with the U.S. Army, Maj. Kirby had the protection of his own armored medical aid station. He accompanied the first troops to enter Baghdad and was present when those same troops stormed Saddam Hussein’s main palace.
Back in the United States for only three weeks, he described his experience in Iraq as an experience he will carry with him for the rest of his life.
His main duty during the conflict was the vital sign stabilization of combat casualties. It was his responsibility to prevent these casualties from going into shock before they could be transported to better medical facilities by Blackhawk helicopter or battlefield ambulance.
During combat operations, which began March 21 and ended May 1, Kirby said his battalion was fortunate in that it suffered only two casualties.
The majority of Kirby’s work, was spent treating scores of enemy prisoners of war and civilians, many of whom were wounded in American attacks.
While in Baghdad, he was quartered in the palace owned by Saddam and his son, Uday. Most of the belongings in the palace had been removed by the time he arrived, but he said it was obvious from what was left that the Husseins lived a luxurious life.
“The palace was simply incredible. Everything was gold plated and marble. It was beautiful,” Kirby said, noting the opulence of the Husseins came at the expense of the Iraqi people.
In early June, Kirby’s battalion was transferred to the city of Fallujah, about 50 kilometers from Baghdad, with the initial mission of quelling the uprisings of a number of resistance fighters. Here the unit suffered several attacks, including the ambush of a scout patrol.
For the most part though, he spent his time in Fallujah helping to re-establish the local medical community, which had been devastated by the war. In addition to treating 500 to 600 civilians, he assisted in acquiring $50,000 worth of medical equipment for the city and helped set up a number of medical clinics.
Looking back on his time in Iraq Kirby said, while everything was memorable, he will remember two instances more than anything else. The first was a missile attack on his battalion’s operation center on April 7. Though he was 300 yards away from the point of impact, the missile’s concussion picked him up and threw him several feet.
His second most memorable experience, he said, came April 9 as his unit stormed Saddam’s palace, tearing down gates and entering the premises. During this time, he was three tanks behind the lead tank.
Nine months being separated from his wife, Terrie, and their three children to go to the Middle East, Kirby is now back at Ft. Stewart, Ga., where he will resume his duties as primary care director at Winn Army Community Hospital.
For his efforts in the war, he was awarded a Bronze Star and the Combat Medical Badge. Kirby was a member of the U.S. Army’s 4-64 Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade.