It Didn’t Happen

In 37 years OAMs wife has never delved into any psychological records; she has always considered there very private information. Now was the time.

OAMs wife can tell you anything you’d like to know about his physical body, but she has always known very little details of the actual trauma that got OAM to this physical state.

During the Gulf War the oil wells were set on fire by the Iraqis. Causing great environmental damage as well as creating a smoke screen, making it tougher for Troops to maneuver.

OAMs unit was at the flank of one of the Task Forces, which put the unit in the middle of the oil well fires. During this time period OAM was part of a Advance Party for his unit. The Advance Party consisted of 2 155 Howitzers, being towed by 5 ton trucks, the men attached to the 2 howitzers, and a small FDC crew.

The mission of the Advance Party was to secure their position to move forward into enemy territory. The rest of the unit, including of 6 more guns, would follow once the the position had been secured.

Under conditions comparable to previous engagements in history, this would have been a hard task. Under the conditions of the Gulf War, the oil well fires turned the light of day, into the darkness of night. Covering the Marines and all of their equipment with a thick layer of crude oil. They had zero visibility and were literally advancing blindly.

This Advance Party would be involved in one of history’s scary howitzer engagements ever not spoken of openly.