US troops given medals for risky rescue of German soldiers

(13 May 2010) SHOTLIST
1. Various of German troops lined up and holding a set of German Gold Cross medals
2. US troops standing in line
3. ISAF chief of staff Lieutenant-General Bruno Kasdorf placing medal on soldier's chest
4. Close up of German medal
5. General Kasdorf placing medal on another soldier's chest while talking to him
6. Close up of hand removing sticker with US army written on it, and placing new sticker with medal
7. Mid of US soldier
8. Various of troops saluting
9. Wide of German troops in line
10. SOUNDBITE (German) Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf, International Security Assistance Force chief of staff:
"I wasn't the centre point of the medal ceremony that I presided over today, the focus of attention were the 14 American soldiers who, under tough circumstances, helped their German comrades who were caught up in heavy fighting."
11. Various of German tanks moving
12. SOUNDBITE: (German) Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf, International Security Assistance Force chief of staff:
"At the same time, it shows what it means to be part of a coalition (ISAF), how important it is that we complement each other. in this case, the Americans were in the position to help and they did so without hesitation."
13. US and German troops hugging each other
STORYLINE
Germany has recognised 14 US soldiers fighting in Afghanistan for risking their lives to help rescue German soldiers during a battle last month.
The chief of staff of the International Security Assistance Force, Germany's Lieutenant-General Bruno Kasdorf, presented the Gold Cross medals to the US troops at the German military base in Kunduz, in the north-east of Afghanistan.
The Americans were recognised for their bravery in airlifting German troops who had been wounded during a firefight with Taliban militants on Good Friday (2 April).
It was the first time non-Germans received a Gold Cross medal, one of the country's highest awards for valour.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

[@TheDevilMethod]

Thank you to these american heros from a german retired soldier. Greetings from Berlin.

[@icesniper5840]

hot german

[@TheDevilMethod]

Bro Im 35, how could I be a nazi? Why should we pay reparations 76 years after the war? Nearly everyone who faught back in that time is already dead. Should Italy pay raparations to france and germany because the romans invaded gaul and germania 40 b.c.? At one point we have to find our peace and let all things that devide us apart. Germans and polish are good friends. If people who don't invated polen, because they are to young, pay now polish people who never suffert the war, that would bring hate again between us. Just my view. If we have to pay for what our partens and greatparents did, or not did, we will never find peace. Greetings to you.

[@s.m5174]

@@tomjenner6818 pay our stolen cars

[@TheDevilMethod]

@D Tops And thats right, they paid with blood already. I mean this war was about power and money and not only to free the slaves, but they did the right thing.

[@wanderschlosser1857]

@@tomjenner6818 Are you dumb? What do the video and above comment have to do with WW2? Grow up man!

[@haeleth7218]

German medal. The two words together mean they've done something unbelievable (etwas unglaubliches). Well done to those fantastic American heroes! Be proud forever!

[@aloysiusjones3985]

Let it go mate. 🇦🇺

[@PanzerkampfwagenausfTschechosl]

@@aloysiusjones3985 huh

[@a-john9617]

Glad to have a german backround, God bless the USA. And germany! 🇺🇸❤️🇩🇪

[@kelvin5005]

german background lmfaooooo *flsh backs*

[@peachtv8000]

god bless the western♥️ We defend our democracy

[@user-og5yl5lu9b]

My grandma and my grandpa had a heart attack lol

[@creamypeanutbutterking5188]

Yes, USA, und Deutschland.

[@creamypeanutbutterking5188]

@@user-og5yl5lu9b Why are you laughing?

[@sarge6870]

Amazing how two Countries that were once fighting each other in a major war are now allies! Salute to my German brothers in arms!

[@gs043420]

Germany is an occupied country with a permanent allied military presence.

[@derborner5189]

@@gs043420 Xavier lässt grüßen du clown.

[@kathysellers7481]

@@gs043420 Du musst nicht solchen hirnkranken Blödsinn nachquatschen !

[@george10445]

@@gs043420 Natürlich ist das kleine Reste Deutschland ein völlig versklavtes land der Besatzer das man beliebig in jeder hinsicht ausbeutet.....💥😈

[@iche9373]

They are allies since 1955 when West Germany entered NATO (USA etc.). Didn't you know that?

[@l.r.8954]

As a german and as a former german infantry soldier (1997-98 / JgBtl.292) I say "Thank you very much. Well done guys!" 🇩🇪🇺🇲

[@nielsen9691]

Huge respect from Denmark to both Germany and The US 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇩🇰

[@jadenhiggins7167]

🇺🇸 🇩🇰

[@lucaxy96]

🇺🇸🇩🇰🇩🇪 🤜🤛❤️❤️

[@hm_nn_5633]

Wow ... this is great! US & German troops hugging each other. Brothers In Arms I salute you.

[@jamestran2056]

if grandpa could only see this now...

[@somthingimportants]

Trust me he can and he’s proud as I know my great grandfather would be

[@ericknguyen4123]

@LARI MU02 Did he mention *his* grandpa?

[@nathangoss920]

@LARI MU02 My grandpa is German 😅

[@TheRedditKing1]

@22 22 your a dick

[@TheRedditKing1]

@@ericknguyen4123 Yeah

[@tune8k]

Salute from Germany.🇩🇪🇺🇸

[@michaelfigueroa3513]

🇺🇸🇩🇪

[@jadenhiggins7167]

🇺🇸 🤝🏼 🇩🇪

[@OO-mf1fc]

the german's armored vehicles always gives me a feeling that no other nation's armored vehicles can.

[@honkhonk8009]

@D Tops honestly what germany at the time excelled in engineering, they lacked logistics. I feel like because of Americas industrial background before the war, the military knew the importance of logistics. Wehrmacht were hella surprised how mechanized the americans were in their supply line. Americans didnt have the best technology, but made sure they had to means to bring their equipment where they needed it. At the end of the war, germans had the best armour, but barely had the capacity to build it to effective numbers despite controlling the majority of europe.

[@davidm3maniac201]

@D Tops Yes but lookat the tiger tank. They had issues with reliability and kept breaking down but them v1 and v2 rockets were something else. Even America employed the German engineer's.

[@ncls.1371]

@D Tops I get what you mean but any nation would win a war if it had the technologies at the start of the war that would only come up later. If the brits had had their late war tech at the start of the sar, they probably wouldn't have needed American support to liberate Europe.

[@rexthedog4]

@D Tops no we wouldn’t, German logistics were terrible during ww2. There would not have been a way for Germany to win the war.

[@rexthedog4]

@D Tops then you need to read up on Germany during ww2. Their supply lines consisted of horse drawn carriages and the like. Yes the logistics were that bad. They advanced too far and spread themselves too thin on resources and men. This was worsened by their failure at Stalingrad where the Germans were humiliated.

[@aanon5716]

14 american soldiers went into a live battle with blackhawks to carry out wounded german soldiers . they couldnt use heavy fire power because isis was using civilian homes as shields. knowing that the west has a code of honor that they try not to have civilian casualties; isis uses it against them time & time again. how ridiculous is that?! the americans carried out 11 wounded, 3 died of their wounds.

[@Max-hw7xl]

i wish to thank our close allies the US military for supporting us, as i hope we do with our field hospitals even though our political background does not allow us to truely pull our weight in combat situations. i hope that all fellow ISAF members who have had the bad fortune to be transferred to our marmal med station have made full recoveries. thank you all, regardless of nationality, for your service in ISAF

[@Exodon2020]

They were fighting the Taliban though, not ISIS. ISIS was not around back in 2009 when the incident leading to this ceremony occured.

[@peachtv8000]

rip to my german camerads. Thanks for helping em 🇩🇪🇺🇸♥️

[@tavish4699]

it wasnt isis

[@lusti6511]

@big ian ROE are never perfect and needed to balance the needs of the troops against the needs of the mission. The mission is to defeat whatever terrorist group is there at the moment, but another goal of the mission is, to protect the civilians from those terrorists. You could change those rules in favor of the soldiers but you would give away one central point/goal of the mission. That's a hard pill to swallow, but i think the ROE are well balanced. Even by endangering your own troops. But in the end it's a soldiers duty to fight and if nessesary die for the mission. Do i like it that way? No. But by giving up the ROE like they are, you're not achieving the main goal of the mission witch renders the whole thing useless.

[@rankingresearchdata]

Love both German🇩🇪 & US 🇺🇸 soldier from India🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@spacecatboy2962]

PINNING MEDALS ON THE CHEST IS SO MUCH EASIER WITH VELCRO

[@richardstorie229]

Was in Germany for 18 years. The German soldiers are true warriors. Enjoyed serving with them.

[@caliber-do1cp]

from a American soldier to all German soldiers, if you fight alongside us we will always stand by your side.

[@iche9373]

Well, they fight with you since 1955. When FRG entered NATO.

[@peacmakerHD]

Salute 🫡

[@dhomtepushkes]

I am so proud of brothers taking care of brother ❤ and utmost respect from American Albanian that used to live in Germany 💪

[@1410nedim]

American Albanian? Pretty Cool! Where do you live?

[@PanzerkampfwagenausfTschechosl]

@@1410nedim idk probably Albania or America

[@herbertgomez4112]

Not surprised! We did a few when I was deployed overseas. former Army teammates of mine are so proud of them. Go Army!

[@SoulCrusherEx]

wow the Golden Cross thats like one of the highest medals you can get. -Staff Sergeant in the German Bundeswehr ;P thx for saving thier lives !!

[@SoulCrusherEx]

@Report of the day yeah it is. You can get it awarded for heroic deeds in Bronze, Silver and Gold. To get Gold you had to do something Incredible to earn it

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

@@SoulCrusherEx Gold is not frequently given but this is gold in a special issue ("In besonderer Ausführung", red outline) which is even less frequently given and can only be awarded for outstanding deeds.

[@Benutzername260]

That's what I'm talking about.

[@deroutlaw3865]

Thank you...

[@joesephclancy6789]

You mean Danke

[@OKKK-wu2rf]

Thank you from Germany! 🇩🇪&🇺🇸 we are strong together!

[@dallasyap3064]

Good to see both countries together, they may be enemies back during ww2, but that's no more, they have since been allies. This is how u make friends. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 🇩🇪 & 🇺🇸 forever

[@fjoshua710]

Love to Germany from United States 🇺🇸 🇩🇪

[@Auslaender16]

Love to 🇺🇸 from 🇩🇪

[@halal849]

Ich bin gerade nach Amerika gezogen. Liebe Amerika zurück

[@jadenhiggins7167]

@@Auslaender16 🇺🇸 ❤ 🇩🇪

[@DickTechno]

Each of these soldiers is my brother, I had the honor of serving with U.S. soldiers and I believe every German soldier or former. Soldiers only see Allied soldiers as brothers and sisters. NATO is the largest family in the world

[@TheRayterry]

Fantastisch!

[@mybile7464]

TheRayterry, as a former 15-months-Wehrpflichtiger in Bundeswehr(1981/82) I agree, we need you, the US army. Who else would (to say it in German:) "fuer uns die Kohlen aus dem Feuer holen?" Bundeswehr and French Army without US-troops would be to weak.

[@tylerlamar3731]

@@mybile7464 we talking about Budweiser?

[@royce45678]

Brotherhood most would never understand

[@herbertgomez4112]

Big time..Mr Royce

[@iche9373]

It's not Brotherhood, it's NATO.

[@DePe1987]

yesterday 10 years ago there whre the heaviest fight between german army and taliban in afgahnistan... this was it because the US soldiers in this videos get the medals for help the germans

[@sif_2799]

Thank you

[@borisjelzin9162]

Thank you very much from Hamburg .

[@derfinger]

God bless these comrades.....

[@SuperBenblake]

Very nice and heart warming. I am glad to see the damage of WWII being undone by the coming of more and more generations now although we can never forget how different the world was, Germany especially (bad!), then.

[@overlordteampootis1315]

Benjamin Blake Mitchner remembering ww2 makes a you already a bad person to reference that.....

[@ryansights8658]

Overlord Team Pootis remembering ww2 isn't bad, if you forget history we are bound to repeat it.

[@kalebt7042]

Benjamin Blake Mitchner Germany was hardly bad then.

[@goldmanjace]

They were not bad then!

[@tacosdecabeza]

@@goldmanjace most of the Germans were. But some were not. They only fought because they were forced to. And some for their families.

[@josefschwemberger6392]

thanks for your service

[@user-pe4nf9gt9w]

US Soliders are the Bravest in this World Respect Brothers 🇺🇸❤️

[@-enderplayyy6402]

Thank you!

[@maclainherbers6373]

Brothers in arms! 😤🙌🇺🇸🇩🇪

[@The_Honcho]

From Castle Itter in 1945 to Afghanistan in 2021, they fight well together

[@loneneotank.5687]

You never leave an ally behind. 🇺🇸🤝🇩🇪 But why is this in my feed five years later?🤔

[@iche9373]

Well, that's what NATO does since 1955. Nothing special.

[@peterscharbatke9593]

Thank you for your service🎗🎗🎗 We are brothers in arms🎗🎗🎗

[@blacklist_luc]

It is a very big honor to get the golden iron cross in Germany

[@jpv9653]

There are no longer any "Iron Cross" in Germany. The gold cross has nothing to do with the iron cross. The iron cross was abandoned after the Nazi Misuse of it.

[@Brandon_501]

@@jpv9653 they look alike and mean the same thing so it doesnt matter what we call it. Golden iron cross is easier than cross of honour and valour.

[@blacklist_luc]

@@jpv9653 Typical German, Worte something wrong and you get a big text of explaining why you should chose the right word. You know what I mean but I picked the wrong word. Don’t make a big thing about that.

[@David-zq3xe]

@@Brandon_501 it matters because the iron cross is commonly associated with NS-Germany

[@Brandon_501]

@@David-zq3xe i understand that but i dont think the nazis should be the reason for leaving the iron cross in shame. It was used before them so it shouldnt only have a negative connotation to it.

[@LaneCorbett]

Something badass about a golden Iron Cross

[@davidm3maniac201]

I thought the same

[@user-rl3iv2jk9q]

A great honor bestowed . America 🇺🇸 and Germany 🇩🇪 trying to be level and honest with each other .

[@CT-Polski]

This is beautiful

[@angloaust1575]

Fellow anglo saxons As bob Dylan said in his song The germans too have god on their side

[@Ren3gaid]

0:48 Didn't know Arnold Schwarzenegger's son is fighting in Afghanistan

[@Apophis1966]

Nice to brothers in arms of 2 nations

[@TheUberMarshalYT]

I absolutely love seeing old enemies become close allies in the end. I'm very proud of the alliance the US shares with not only Germany, but with all who share common interests in preserving global peace between the world's superpowers. Möge diese Freundschaft ewig sein! Gott segne Deutschland! God bless the United States of America!

[@kenanpartlak653]

Dankesehr sir!

[@BrandoCalrissian82]

Out-fucking-standing! Brothers in Arms. 🇺🇸 Waffenbrüder. 🇩🇪

[@victoriamillerdirocco9013]

so happy to see!:)

[@edwardvargas4540]

Good job !!

[@f.b.i.5929]

Well well, how the turn tables

[@CuttySobz]

HOW IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN WW2 :(

[@Ed_is_sad]

This is wonderful may god bless you're souls

[@prussianangler]

We have to hold together to fight terror! Love this.

[@meisterpropper4522]

thank you 🇺🇸🇩🇪

[@BayouBoy2443]

The German desert uniform goes really hard

[@dankengine5304]

Oh this makes me so happy

[@bushwhackerinc.4668]

That medal looks dope as hell

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

It's basically the highest military medal in Germany in its second highest grade

[@maxwatson8034]

A great alliance

[@Ironicwaffle9503]

The Germans have just about no chill, but are very chill in many other aspects

[@timfronimos459]

May I humbly ask, why are the soldiers not wearing covers when out doors AND saluting. Its been many many many .oons since I served. Regs have changed?

[@alexanderrotmg]

For anyone wondering: 1:06 The award ceremony which I ran today, was for 14 American soldiers, who were rescuing their German comrades in a very brave way. 1:41 It also shows what a coalition does. How important it is that we add up to each other, and in this case, the Americans had the opportunity to help, and they used it without hesitation.

[@berndw.144]

God bless our American comrades!

[@karinlefevre9988]

What is the rank of the German?

[@norman-str3ss88]

Major General

[@Blaukriton]

Staatsratsvorsitzender der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik.

[@peachtv8000]

@@Blaukriton xD

[@roberthudson1959]

@@Blaukriton The DDR hasn't existed in this millennium. The description of the video states that he is a generalleutnant or lieutenant general.

[@XX-dm2xs]

@@roberthudson1959 it's a joke

[@toe_stealer6930]

That's a rare sight.

[@fabikawasbk782]

Great job from us troops. USA and germany should have better relationship again! The leftist are trying to Destroy this. Best wishes from ex Bundeswehr soldier 👍

[@jenniferlarson6426]

The leftists can try all they want, they won't destroy that relationship. America loves Germany.

[@weirdsearchhistory5876]

Biden and Merkel, both need to go.

[@fabikawasbk782]

That would be my biggest dream! Merkel is destroying whole europe!

[@bikko4515]

Too political

[@Leon_der_Luftige]

@@fabikawasbk782 Hey, an right winger with extreme and crazy opinions calling everything bad "left" even when it's not even left wing such as Merkel. Never seen that before. *irony off* People like you are the reason so many people in Germany hate the military. It's a pool for alt-right arseholery and everything that comes after. Hope you're happy with your lunacy.

[@jenniferlarson6426]

I know this video is six years old but the caption interested me. I'm so happy they saved those guys because America loves Germany. I am very proud of our serviceman. however, I wish I could have gotten a better look at those handsome German soldiers at the end but the video ended. That made me sad.

[@dontcare3006]

Good job boys!

[@AidenTheHistoryReporter]

At 0:23, is that like the new Iron cross or is the iron cross this used as medals in the German military ?

[@palastofhistory4026]

It's the new iron cross It's the highest military honor of Germany

[@user-df7tv2lv8i]

cool medals

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

Mean while the British soldiers forgot one of their own as they ran away with their tailed between their legs and when they realized it after the fact they left him to be torchered. Way to go Britain.

[@Pivhydrazine]

When?

[@Smouse168]

That looks so strange to see a German cross on a US army uniform

[@irishjw]

As I learned from my father a W W 2 infantry soldier he had more respect for the German soldiers he was fighting than troops who were our so called allies

[@andythoms8130]

Wow so disrespectful.

[@irishjw]

@@andythoms8130 In what way ? Meet other Veterans who also did not think much of English.

[@andythoms8130]

@@irishjw well so many died fighting in that war who deserve to be respected for their sacrifice.

[@irishjw]

@@andythoms8130 I never disrespected anyone I said " MORE RESPECT ''

[@andythoms8130]

@@irishjw so called allies?

[@taylorlynne8504]

Iron Cross first class

[@yoshiegg95]

Normally, we germans would invade this comment section with our language, but not this time, we thank these american soldiers for saving the lives of our comrades. You have all of our graditude.

[@BananaRama1312]

cringelord 🤢🤢

[@estatesales9818]

Danke Germans

[@madpilot7214]

Allied World War 2 veterans seeing this: Excuse me but what the fuck.

[@ieatcrayons-oi9ye]

The heer is really cool

[@elisabethschweitzer817]

🇺🇸🇺🇸👏👏👏🇩🇪🙏❤❤❤❤❤🇺🇸

[@peachtv8000]

🇩🇪♥️

[@FRANKHDIETRICH]

They’re outdoors where’s their cover?

[@grimmace9081]

would like to hear about the mission...

[@blackout5058]

It's called Karfreitagsgefecht German Fallschirmjäger got under heavy fire and also ran over an IED with one of their armored vehicles. The Americans didn't hesitate and got out there and got our boys out even under heavy fire.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Unnfoutently, I could not qualify, but when I had tried to enlist, one of my goals was to get a MOS that'd have me stationed in Germany. Because I thought it'd have been cool to be there as a friend rather than conquer... liberator, like my grandfather, which that in of itself, is pretty Ironic, given my family history.#NoMoreBrotherWars

[@christiankonig6499]

Well deserved, they must have balls of steel

[@SunTzu2024]

I appreciate our American heroes, and our partners that helped fight the war against Islamic extremist. This is why America is a real super power. The greatest country on the planet besides our current administration.

[@SebastianDeBeer]

Could someone advise why no one is wearing headgear please? Is it because the parade is being held at an air base?

[@spidersaremean8917]

do you really think they wear helmets at a ceremony

[@SebastianDeBeer]

@@spidersaremean8917 yes. We always did when on parade. Only time you would not wear some form of headgear is when you were indoors.

[@spidersaremean8917]

@@SebastianDeBeer I mean it also could be that this is a german air base, with helicopters

[@supking403]

Lucky!!

[@user-xj2hp7kc4u]

Danke Meine Kameraden das wärst ihr unsere Soldaten gerettet habt

[@pengseahang946]

👍👏❤❤❤

[@kartikeyasinha7793]

AP archive is a gold mine 😃😃

[@georgewashington3918]

We must protect our allies Doesn’t matter if they were enemies before

[@iche9373]

Well, that's what allies are for, to protect. And Germany (FRG) was never an enemy of America.

[@georgewashington3918]

@@iche9373 I’m talking about to old Germany Nazi germany and the German empire

[@iche9373]

@@georgewashington3918 And that's why you cannot say „they were“. Because the Bundeswehr was never an enemy of America before.

[@georgewashington3918]

@@iche9373 my bad

[@DamonRX]

Did they get the Iron Cross though?

[@iche9373]

By saying the Iron Cross, you are questioning the sovereignty of my country FRG. Please don't be a Wehraboo.

[@Ginkoman2]

they did get the "Cross of Honour in gold for Outstanding Deeds". the highest military medal in the 2nd highest grade.

[@vugel_gaming133]

I'm so proud we fight together as we were always intend to do

[@mr31337]

What are they saying? I don't speak German. I would have done, but their army wasn't strong enough.

[@marlisschmitz]

🇺🇲🇩🇪❤️👍

[@mrpaddy3318]

give them the iron cross they will smile

[@GERMANFORCE]

Medal and honors for nothing what a waste

[@stupidcat7040]

Ehre wem Ehre gebührt

[@RC-bz6uq]

Cheers for world Peace !

[@lolb4udie]

Meanwhile we still can't grow beards

[@razelbliztkrieg3851]

Is that iron cross

[@peachtv8000]

no

[@Profitaenzer]

Plastic I guess.Lack of money you know.

[@Brandon_501]

@@Profitaenzer It is made of bronze. The bundeswehr has been steadily increasing funds over the years and will continue to do so.

[@Ginkoman2]

@@theunholycrusader517 its called "Cross of Honour in gold for Outstanding Deeds"