Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
5:45 | While training to fight in Iraq, 2LT Pinkerton relives getting married and the loneliness that followed as he prepared for war.
Keywords : training Iraq security marriage wife Kuwait M240 machine gun Baghdad Iraq Sunni Triangle
2LT Pinkerton describes why he enlisted in the army and a frightening experience in airborne school.
2LT Pinkerton describes why he stopped training for the Army's Special Forces and how he became part of his brigade's elite security detail.
While training to fight in Iraq, 2LT Pinkerton relives getting married and the loneliness that followed as he prepared for war.
All the excitement of a C-130 flight to Iraq doesn't prepare 2LT Pinkerton for the death of a soldier killed hours before returning home.
2LT Pinkerton relives shocking explosions and indirect fire that awoke him one night and what happened when his brigade set up counterfire.
Assigned as an officer's driver in the lead truck, 2LT Pinkerton describes how he felt the moment after riding over a live improvised explosive device (IED) that miraculously didn't explode.
2LT Pinkerton dramatically recalls what happened after an explosive projectile slammed into an army truck injuring two buddies and killing an officer all the soldiers respected.
2LT Pinkerton tells of a harrowing experience during Operation "Black Eagle" when Iraqi forces unexpectedly struck, killing his friend.
2LT Pinkerton reflects back on a memorial service for a fallen friend, and describes how a bagpipe ceremony, a colonel's heartfelt words, and the army rangers honored their comrade.
2LT Pinkerton remembers going home for "R and R," and seeing the first signs of victory after returning to Iraq.
Massive warheads slam into 2LT Pinkerton's compound killing several soldiers and destroying the chow hall. He describes how some soldiers had to adapt, and what he did to help on their missions.
As action in Iraq slowed down, 2LT Pinkerton spent hours working out and studying for a promotion. He describes the excitment of learning that he was going home, and helping the 101st Airborne replacements.
Unable to sleep for two weeks before heading home, 2LT Pinkerton remembers why he slept on rocks near the airstrip, sold a lot of his belongings and volunteered to pack up the plane.
The amazing feeling of coming back home from Iraq was just part of a surreal experience for 2LT Pinkerton as he landed in Dallas. He vividly describes how he and his fellow soldiers were greeted by Texans when they landed.
After staying at home for awhile, 2LT Pinkerton gets "the itch" to go back to Iraq, and explains why it's the right thing to do.
2LT Pinkerton relives the sheer terror of being hit by a powerful explosion on the way to Baghdad. Not knowing if he was badly injured, he describes the frightening moments before he found out.
2LT Pinkerton describes being examined by medics and pulling practical jokes on a comrade, after their truck was hit by explosives. He laughs as he shares what he did and why.
