The Explosive Combat in the Iraq Invasion First Wave

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Corporal Wade Spann served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment as an infantryman at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, in 2002. Spann’s first duty in Iraq was to pick up supplies and begin setting up a base for his unit. Upon his unit’s first casualty in Baghdad, Spann noted that “the reality of war quickly struck home.”
During his second tour in Fallujah, Iraq, his unit faced an IED attack by enemy forces. The attack wounded Spann and four others in the unit. Spann was struck in the back of his head by shrapnel, which caused him to lose consciousness. He quickly recuperated and remained in Iraq. Spann’s unit left Iraq in the summer of 2004 but deployed again in March 2005.
His deployment to Al-Ramadi, Iraq, would be his last. In August 2005, Spann declined to extend his service time and made the decision to leave the Marine Corps.
Spann was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which caused him to reevaluate his coping mechanisms. He continues to work on recovering from his service while also reaching out to other Veterans to stay connected and help them live fruitful lives.
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[@americanveteranscenter]

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[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Great video

[@gabrielbrymer133]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@austin3873]

I think him for his service but he needs to was his face. It’s oily af

[@petermontagnon4440]

PTSD is a nasty master!!!! Ive had her for over 30 years.I finally asked for help....but it was about 2weeks too late. And it destroyed another relationship. Went to jail and finally started getting the help I needed. I an better but I have a long, long way to go!!! Peace Brother from another Mother from Canada!!!

[@justinplaysguitar]

Keep at it I mess up many relationships and went to jail and psyc ward a couple times. I had a great therapist for a while and saved my life then she retired now I’m kind of lost again but trying to keep it together while getting another therapist

[@NathanGraves928]

Thank you for your service. Glad you mustered the courage to seek help. Best of wishes

[@snapkrispies5324]

Sorry to hear that Homie keep up the fight I’m 39 years old it cost me my last two relationships life is hard just be thankful you don’t have a opiate dependency!!!

[@bullboo1]

It is not easy Bro for me a dog helped and Vietnam combat vet friend. I have gone through 3 dozen plus major operations on my body and have more but I am taking a break from them. I don't have friends as my vet friend moved and I have been told I make people nervous as I am hyper alert and everyone thinks combat vets will snap. I have my family but they sacrificed to much. I never was a drinker, smoker or drug taker so avoid those the same with breaking the law. Still it is a hard task.

[@TheStoicGooner1375]

I know the struggle all to well myself I hope that things get to a tolerable point. After 15 years I'm slowly recovering myself it's possible but a slow process and not permanent! God speed and God bless for D.C

[@l.b.7543]

I remember all of this stuff. I was in a tank during the March to Baghdad

[@mickeyduke1910]

When we were crossing the bridge he described.. My buddy (RIP Robert Rodriguez) and the whole tank crew were killed when the tank fell off that bridge upside down into the Euphrates. I was absolutely convinced in my mind we were doing a training exercise and it was part of the story.

[@Amp497]

Hang in there man. You got a lot of people pulling for you out here. You're never alone in this world. My old man had PTSD from WW2 and never got over it. You're taking the right steps to have a good life. God bless.

[@nicke1903]

I have a friend that his dad was in Vietnam, he was in a bad way afterwards. He would stay drunk, he would get really,really drunk and then thats when Vietnam came to him, one time he wouldn't let my friend and his siblings off the couch he held em at gunpoint, my friend said he had to pee and he wasn't gonna pee on himself, his dad had begun to nod and pass out so he took a chance to get up, it startled his dad and he took a shot at him hitting the wall with a .410. His dad finally came to blows with his trauma one night, he ended up taking his life. It's so sad to here stories where all these men wanted was to help, then end up in a prisoner of their own head's, reminding them of the hell everyday

[@larryflint8351]

you are in your 70s?

[@sandranatali1260]

Young man you worth helping! Keep on working through your experiences. We the American people need young men like you. Sending much love and respect your way and your fellow friends.

[@jacobthayer236]

@@woowah32 oh yeah he definitely comes across as a fake. No emotion in his voice.... *sarcasm*

[@volusian95]

Excellent interview - though the bit about the amount of suicides in his unit was absolutely devastating Congrats on 200k, this is one of the best channels on YT and absolutely deserves it.

[@americanveteranscenter]

Thank you very much!

[@AChunkyDog]

@Meme Memeson I remember thinking being edgy was cool.

[@AChunkyDog]

@Meme Memeson I'm only seeing one clown here.

[@dustin5590]

22 veterans kill themselves every day on average

[@Chiller01]

Excellent retelling of this story. Time has shown, in my opinion, that Iraq was a mistake but much like my war in Southeast Asia that doesn’t detract from the bravery of the men and women who prosecuted that war. I always enjoy listening to combat veterans’ stories.

[@TheBartowBoy]

You are correct, I am a flag waving American, But the Cheney Bush jr war totally unnecessary; it opened the door for ISIS in my opinion

[@Blackhawks87]

Right? I can't stand it when I'll voice my opposition for the Iraq war and people assume that means I have no respect for the Soldiers, sailors, Marines, or airmen. I have all the respect in the world for those who serve, however I don't respect politicians sending young men and women to die just to fill their own pockets, to get reelected, or whatever the reason may be. Thank you for your service!

[@archeryfisher]

My sister was in Iraq in the early 2000s. She was a combat medic and on the striker unit searching for IEDs. She had really bad PTSD when she came home and she passed away before her 30th birthday. The few stories she did tell me, I cant imagine the mental war that ensues. Have tried to find footage of her on tour with no luck.

[@patriciablue2739]

Blessings to you

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for sharing this moment of your life and your service 🇺🇸❤️

[@dondonovan2778]

Thanks for your service and your story so people have a idea of what it was like. RIP all who died serving our country during war and peace.

[@josephking6515]

How about RIP to all the Iraqi civilians these #WarCriminals murdered during their illegal invasion. _Shouldn't bring kids to a gunfight_ said the heroic Apache gunner as he murdered news photographers and then the people with children in their van who went to help them. Wow, what pathetic heroes.

[@Siddich]

phew. yeah, thanks and thanks for finding and destroying those weapons of mass destruction, saddam had…

[@dondonovan2778]

Iraq was using chemical weapons in 84 and 86

[@Siddich]

@@dondonovan2778 that is of course a reason to attack em 20 years later...

[@nourrashid8739]

@@dondonovan2778 And you used nuclear weapons. Nation of absolute murderers and hypocrites.

[@DougsHomestead]

Thanks for getting help. Took me 10 years to accept it. Didn't go through anything like you did, but crossing that line is a death to all we loved and knew. Stay focused.

[@l.b.7543]

I still remember that myself.

[@jenniferthill7024]

glad you sought help... it's not easy.

[@MRTOOTH0331]

I was in 1/4 Wpns co and it’s crazy to hear someone from 5th Marines talk about their story when I was there at the same time, just a few miles down the road. I had almost 3 years in at that time but just like him our boots came from school of infantry straight to Kuwait and served three combat deployment before their four years were up.

[@alligatorwithwifi6111]

Interesting how many ended up in the same areas. My uncle in the Louisiana National Guard ended up there as an "88mike" if I got that correct. Always wondered how national guard got there but can't find a direct answer.

[@jeremyperala839]

I was in F 2/5. Wasn't too far away from you guys. Semper Fidelis

[@jameshayward1223]

This is the equivalent of the Hoffmann Vietnam vet interview,so raw and honest,my hat goes off to you sir for your brilliant view on service,my condolences for the people you lost. Listening to your story is lifting a weight off everyone’s shoulders,I hope you are at peace

[@timwalsh7287]

Gut wrenching. Prayers for this Marine and all those that served.

[@tommychew6544]

This Marines story speaks to me in ways that only anther Marine could understand. I served from '85 to '89 as a 2531 field radio operator and didn't get recalled to active duty because I had two kids with one on the way and it ate me alive! What this Marine said spoke to me in so many ways, to be a trained warrior and not be able to do your task you were trained to do has really bothered me over all these years. His is one of the best stories that I've been able to 100% connect to, I wasn't a war monger but, my training didn't get used and it has always bothered me to an extent that I have thankfully been able to fight back mentally. Just barely at first though, this should be shown to the masses. Or maybe that's just my take from having been on a similar path as a Marine and not getting to fight amongst my brothers for one another. Either way, great video!

[@formerparatrooper]

I agree with you. I had all the training and never got deployed, it has always been a frustration with me. One of the Chief's in our unit found a way to get in on some of this but I was already too old and too worn out.

[@markjordan1765]

I was a 2531 too 1988 to 1994. Semper FI

[@formerparatrooper]

@@markjordan1765 I was in the 11th SFGP from late 79 to mid 86, all peace time but Reagan was president and it was all great.

[@tommychew6544]

@@markjordan1765 It was amazing the Corps was such using really old radio equipment then. We had an Army radio operator that had switched over and joined the Marines stop by our shop one day, he was in motor-T, that said he didn't recognize anything we were using! We were using mostly PRC-77's then along with other gear including 292 antennas' that he had never seen before. After almost 40 years I have forgotten most of the gear by a number we used, I believe it was an H-250 handset we were using. I didn't see my first PRC-107 that crossed the VHF/UHF Spectrem till about '88. I liked that radio because during a CAX exercise I could setup an extra RT while on radio watch and listen to the loose traffic coming from the Army guys. We were under orders to not mess with them though, a few years before me some guys had taken over an Army radio hill over using the same things, we had been trained about at Comm School not what to on the radio and left them hanging for a couple of days!

[@markjordan1765]

@@tommychew6544 Wow you are 100 percent right on the radio gear. In 1989 I was sent to sat com school to learn how to use the PSC-3 SAT-COM radio. That thing was huge with the KY-57 crypto and kick 13 to load the KY-57. Force recon needed a SAT-COM operator, so I worked with those guys a lot in Camp Pendleton. We also use Mucks. Semper FI brother.

[@khatirobinson6392]

Thank you Sir, for all that you have done for our country and what you continue to do for our veterans. You are the definition of a hero.

[@interstellar618]

Amazing account. So honest and matter of fact. Thank you so much for sharing your story, It's so important for so many reasons that we have every willing first hand account. You're a brave American and i'm proud and honored to be your countryman.

[@Socurious548]

It doesn’t, “sound bad at a young age like that”. I had enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1998- I was 20 then. On 9/11 I was working nights and got a call from my wife (who was at work), telling me to turn on any channel, at about 1000 CDT. As soon as I saw it I called into work, threw on my uniform, and went directly to my unit, ready to go. They looked at me like I was a retard. March ‘03 we rolled right through that berm…. 1/2 of our BN with 101st, 1/2 with 1 MEF.

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service My Dear American Brother, I wanted to be an American Hero or born in USA like You.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪👍

[@safaqi01]

Lol where are you from

[@sandranatali1260]

We refer to American heroes, as those who gave their lives fighting for our Country. All WW2 armed forces refer to Heroes as those who gave their lives for their Country.

[@newsnowmilitia1147]

I love that

[@karlwatkinson2624]

Well done.. I'm a kiwi (New zealand). I appreciate that this came up.. All hero's need to tell their stories , for themselves and their brothers who can't.. Kia kaha..

[@ashleyslack4787]

Wade I appreciate your willingness to talk about those moments inspite of the pain they bring. I hope we might get to see you again sometime up here in Mountain country 💜

[@scoobbbbbydo]

Thank you from Australia 🇦🇺 brothers in arms my American friends

[@AVI80R907]

Thank you for sharing your story. We appreciate your service immensely.

[@delprice3007]

Wow, thankyou for doing the interview.

[@mgunny05]

A tough modest, honest young Marine, just like his brothers of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam. Semper Fi, I wish you nothing but the best for your future. 🍺🍺🍺🍺!

[@TictacAddict1]

Thank you for your service and your story. Will be praying for you by name, Wade.

[@marvinschmitz3442]

I worked with a coworker on the C-17 program who told me a story of his time in the Army stationed on the DMZ in Korea. He said his CO instructed him to shoot anyone crossing a certain line. Well an old man came across the line and my coworker stopped him with his rifle. He said he spent three months in the brig, while I suppose the beurocrats tried to figure how much cash to give to North Korea. I could tell that incident still bothered him even ten years after the fact. Good going US modis operandi.

[@nicke1903]

Hang in there brother, I've never served, I couldn't imagine that amount stress. I hope you fight the good fight and everyday is better for you. Thank you Sir for your service.

[@1vigorousdragon]

Pay it Forward, A lesson all should learn. God Bless you Marine !

[@F1Hopeful]

God Bless you brother. All Americans are proud and thankful for your service and sacrifices.

[@jballssmyrl1452]

Thanks for sharing brother, know it's not easy

[@Brittbrothers2]

Thank you so much for all that you poured out for our country and for the less fortunate.

[@purplecow5150]

thank you very much for sharing your stories with us. i wish you the best. stay strong.

[@obo7707]

What a guy and what he's been through. I am so glad you did work on yourself and came through. But every day can be a challenge..i know that...but just know people love you , and are proud of you- not just for your service , not just for reaching out for help then helping others who are in need , but just because you are what we all are or have been- a regular person facing difficult circumstances. Thank you for your service and keep fighting- if for no other reason than because it helps others

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your service

[@carolvedder3555]

You are an incredible man and hero. I am living with MS and hearing you is an encouragement.

[@BlueWaterSTAX]

Awesome stories. Thanks to all our Veterans. God Bless

[@12lilacbushes]

I have MS for 14 years. The Shapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis at The Mpls. Clinic of Neurology in Golden Valley, MN ......Dr. Calkwood is the best in the WORLD!!!

[@dustin5590]

Love you and thank you

[@ChronzLight]

Truly grateful for sharing this story, so much value here for the veterans of all generations. The further investment of mental health will truly service the veteran community

[@mickmacy6161]

Much respect, sir.

[@LongStraightLines]

Thank you for baring your soul and telling your story. I wish you all the best.

[@dougcostello9064]

Wow! Truly moving words. Thank you to all who bravely serve.

[@1blueeye]

What an absolute badass. Thank you sir, for your service.

[@reza_dc2]

You got balls man… appreciate everything you and your comrades have done. One life on this earth, you did good.

[@jonhighsmith803]

Regardless of how absolutely screwed up our country is right now, imagine where we would be or if we would still be a country without men like this. Thank you for your service my fellow Virginian!

[@V43xV1CT15]

Thank you for your service, and all your marines

[@burnindownthehouse]

He's definitely a bright guy. I enjoyed hearing his story.

[@usmcvet0313]

Semper Fidelis brother. I also have lost brothers to suicide. My faith in God is what has carried me through. Fair winds, and following seas. I pray for healing on your MS.

[@doncarlson8391]

Once again I am humbled and totally in debt to this veteran and all veterans for their total commitment to defending our country and their brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you is so inadequate but that is all I have to offer. God bless and comfort them all.

[@andrewsalacina9705]

Thank you for your service. You have a great positive outlook.

[@maverick744]

I received the same text as you saying I won a prize.did you?

[@jenniferthill7024]

I would totally have a long lunch with this gentleman. there's obviously so much more to this man than his war story. Impressive. #ptsd #ms #veterans

[@bhas3373]

God bless you Sir and Thank you

[@cwilliamlewis]

Hang in there, Cpl.Spang! We LOVE YOU, brother!

[@Nate-sy4gb]

Semper fidelis, brother. God bless.

[@anonaki-mt6xb]

Peace and Well Being to you Sir.

[@howardkanitz4998]

Thank you for your service Marine!

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Love the channel

[@gryper1690]

Keep up the fight bro.

[@nitrozack3062]

Thank you for Everything my friend. ❤

[@chrislydon6796]

Thanks for sharing, I have Ben through alit of similar shit, anyway thanks dude.!

[@ryansandoval507]

Absolutely amazing testimony of his experiences. I wish this patriot the best. Thank you for everything.

[@cw6656]

God bless you brother.

[@sandranatali1260]

You mentioned palisade and Special Forces, my grandson was a Green Beret at the time, pretty sure he was there with you. He's now retired! Now working to help people!

[@daveblackburn5393]

Thank you for your service sir to our country

[@ThanksforcensoringmeYoutube]

God bless you, man. Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for your service. God works in mysterious ways, and it is awesome to see stories like this.

[@rikijett310]

Thank you for your service!! God bless you!! ✝️🇺🇲✝️

[@jasonvazquez2563]

Thank you for your service, nothing but respect♥️🇺🇲

[@nourrashid8739]

Respect for invading a nation that had nothing to do with 9/11 and killing hundreds of thousands of innocents.

[@sickerman88]

God bless you Sir and may you find well deserved peace

[@morrisdomke8920]

SEMPER FI, ALL YOUVE DONE I TIP MY HAT TO YOU EVERY DAY

[@darthsilversith667]

Thank you for your service. Sorry our country lied to you to get it though. Looks like another generation is about to go through the same exact same thing.

[@breeshteam]

Ehh somewhat False. Enlistments are low. Nobody wants to go no matter how much the sign on bonus is .

[@user-ot7cc3qz5l]

I know you glossed over what are a thousand individual living nightmares. Breaks my heart knowing someone I likely share blood with has gone through so much pain. I hope heaven awaits you.

[@alecstaley1017]

Kinetic

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆✌️🇺🇲🙏 🎖️🎖️🎖️⭐⭐⭐ Thank you for sharing

[@geoffblevins977]

7:23 welcome to sedar City! Oh you need a cigar I hand him one he gets mad melts like the witch from wizard of Oz

[@James-hr4fu]

Marine your my freaking hero. Thank you for everything you and you fellow marines did for me and all the other Americans that Iam sure don't mind me speaking for them! Semper fi!

[@sgddfgfghfgh]

What did they do for you again?

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

Semper Fi!

[@dcpower777]

May God bless you Sir. and Thank you for my freedom.

[@Rob-lj3kf]

very good

[@justiceperez24]

Very kinetic place....

[@Evocati-Augusti]

We lost so many men due to "hajji armour" a solider asked Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld that question in Iraq, "Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to up-armor our vehicles? and why we didn't have bulletproof vests and other things some didn't have...he said "We go to war with the Army we have not the Army we want" which pissed a lot of guys off because we did not have to go to war at all and it was not a time issue...a lot of people didn't know this, but they brought Captain Steele,company commander in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during the Battle of Mogadishu (1993) in Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent, which resulted in the now famous book and film Black Hawk Down, commanding a rifle company in the 75th Ranger Regiment as part of Task Force Ranger. Now Colonel Steele advising for tactics he learned in Mogadishu, and just like General "Bill" Garrison, who commanded United States forces during Operation Gothic Serpent, He was told no when he pressed really hard they had to have armored vehicles or there would be a great loss of life, Which is what General Garrison was told by Les Aspin when he asked, he also wanted a Spectre gunship, to high profile. but this was war and he was so disappointed he was brought there for that reason, and he had failed soldier's.this is an untold story unless you were in earshot of this conversation(PSYOP) or 1N7...just flat-out sad...my mother retired USAF R&D now D.O.D R&D at Rock Island Arsenal, would in 2005 started taking in the Humvees to be fitted with amour. NBC News 2004:Frantically, the Army tries to armor Humvees...They should have listened to the 1 guy in that TAC in 2003.

[@RealityAudits]

My guy, Roy Masters put together a PTSD meditation with 100% success rate.

[@elwin38]

Semper Fidelis!

[@MiwokWarrior160]

Truly beautiful ending

[@Thanatos138]

Men like you Sir are why I am proud to be an American.

[@31446963048]

Hug to you son.

[@MarineMikeGolf3587]

Semper Fi

[@jerrystephen0092]

Very positive move! "Not having alcohol in your life"

[@interstellarreaper8]

Dude is so brave

[@Brovillion559]

I joined the corps at 19. I was joining no matter what. 9/11 enhanced that decision. That was 2002. Now I have a 19 year old nephew he’s a solid kid and raised right by his parents. He joined the army to be an engineer. I struggle thinking about him patrolling Iraq like we did.

[@richardbowers3647]

You must find your way back, once your center is moved!!! You are the only one who can!!! Just commenting.

[@ryanupchurch9683]

But did y’all find those wmds?

[@popcornhead3479]

This marine optimizes the true greatness of America.

[@MCden603]

Isn’t that the guy from smile?

[@robbennett2829]

Is "Grape Shot" not legal?

[@R0adkillRacc00n]

Spann and Groff. Where is Groff? Hope y'all are doing great.

[@R0adkillRacc00n]

okay, I was more often Spann and Wells

[@BurtSampson]

This video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHTNpJh6dtqArNk , is a recording of the events he describes at the 10 minute mark. The insanely kinetic and frenetic fight where they had the SEAL Team detachment assigned to them and the gunship support and everything. His description of it being like something out of Black Hawk down is spot on. Hollywood-tier rolling gun fight.

[@gryper1690]

Meanwhile, I was back home collecting Desert Storm baseball cards. I enlisted later that year, 1991.

[@Justthatguy420]

One day at a time