The truth about Jessica Lynch

[n2doc]

Her Iraqi guards had long fled, she was being well cared for - and doctors had already tried to free her. John Kampfner discovers the real story behind a modern American war myth

John Kampfner
The Guardian,

Jessica Lynch became an icon of the war. An all-American heroine, the story of her capture by the Iraqis and her rescue by US special forces became one of the great patriotic moments of the conflict. It couldn't have happened at a more crucial moment, when the talk was of coalition forces bogged down, of a victory too slow in coming.
Her rescue will go down as one of the most stunning pieces of news management yet conceived. It provides a remarkable insight into the real influence of Hollywood producers on the Pentagon's media managers, and has produced a template from which America hopes to present its future wars.

But the American media tactics, culminating in the Lynch episode, infuriated the British, who were supposed to be working alongside them in Doha, Qatar. This Sunday, the BBC's Correspondent programme reveals the inside story of the rescue that may not have been as heroic as portrayed, and of divisions at the heart of the allies' media operation.

"In reality we had two different styles of news media management," says Group Captain Al Lockwood, the British army spokesman at central command. "I feel fortunate to have been part of the UK one."

more

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/15/iraq.usa2

[MADem]

1. Jessica wrote a book about this, and she made it clear that she was propagandized.

Initial official reports on Lynch's capture and rescue in Iraq were incorrect. On April 24, 2007, she testified in front of Congress that she had never fired her weapon, her M16 rifle jammed, and that she had been knocked unconscious when her vehicle crashed.[1] Lynch has been outspoken in her criticism of the original stories reported regarding her combat experience. When asked about her heroine status, she stated "That wasn't me. I'm not about to take credit for something I didn't do... I'm just a survivor."

...She began her testimony by noting for the record that her appearance was not politically motivated. In a prepared statement, she said:[6][30][31]

"I believe this is not a time for finger pointing. It is time for the truth, the whole truth, versus hype and misinformation."
"I am still confused as to why they chose to lie and tried to make me a legend when the real heroics of my fellow soldiers that day were, in fact, legendary. People like Lori Piestewa and First Sergeant Dowdy who picked up fellow soldiers in harm's way. Or people like Patrick Miller and Sergeant Donald Walters who actually fought until the very end. The bottom line is the American people are capable of determining their own ideals of heroes and they don't need to be told elaborate tales."
"The truth of war is not always easy to hear but it is always more heroic than the hype."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Lynch

That article is an oldie...over eleven years old...!

[Vox Moi]

3. Jessica is a true hero ...

For setting the record straight.
I have a lot of respect for that lady.

[Journeyman]

2. I wrote a parody song about her back when she was discharged. . .

A Day in the Lie

I read the news today, oh boy. . .
Two thousands-caliber holes in Jessi, PFC
But ’cause the holes were rather small
They couldn’t count them all
Now they’re clueless on the holes it takes to make Jessi a hero. . .
They love to twist the truth.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. Remember when Sy Hersh broke this story broke this story

An was called a washed-up liar only in it for the money?

Same stuff he's called today when he breaks other stuff.

[bvar22]

5. That was debunked quickly,

and a topic of discussion here at DU.