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Round 1
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Hassan Farah
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Chicago IL
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11/16/97 7:15:01 AM
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Having worked as an information specialist at the American
Embassy in Mogadishu (1977-91), I have to admit that the
U.S. and the Soviet Union's rivalry in the Horn during the
Cold War changed the landscape of a peaceful pastoral
nation into w
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Mary Weber
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San Diego,CA
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11/17/97 1:42:22 PM
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When will your book be available? I'll bid for the first copy! My son was there..we don't have the same last name any more..and he would not want to be identified, either. THANKS for telling the "real" story. It's
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment. The book will be published next fall.
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mike drewniak
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new jersey
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11/17/97 2:48:16 PM
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Mark, just wanted to say great work. Very compelling
reading. Won't miss a word of it. (by the way, I work for
one of your former editors, Dave Tucker, now at the
Star-Ledger, in the Trenton bureau).
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Benjamin T. Zartman 3rd
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Hatfield, PA
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11/17/97 3:36:28 PM
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Mark,
Great work so far. I really enjoy getting the whole picture or story with details, unstead of the usual headline news or shallow news I'm so used to seeing on the TV and with most newspapaers. Thanks again, continue with the excellent in d
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Lt Bill Schroeder
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Glenside, Pa
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11/17/97 3:54:51 PM
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Thanks for telling the story of America's finest light infantry.
Look into how many field grade and general officers were
in Somalia versus soldiers; and the micromanagement that led to 19 friends,sons,and brothers dying. What the hell was worth 19
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Ward
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Ft. Benning. GA
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11/17/97 5:19:47 PM
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How did you get all your Info? I'm in the 75 th Rgr.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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My first interviews were with Rangers at Ft.
Benning and pilots at Ft. Campbell, arranged
through your command. From them I learned the
names and numbers of former Rangers, each of whom
had kept up with three or four buddies (in and out
of the service). Eventually my list of men who had
fought that day in Mogadishu was too long for me
to keep up. I've interviewed about 70 now ... and
counting. I also spoke with Air Force PJs down in
Florida. I interviewed brass from Gen. Colin
Powell on down, and along the way accumulated lots
of helpful documents -- like official battle
accounts, timelines, etc. -- and got to watch
videotapes and listen to audiotapes of the battle.
MB
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JACK CALLAHAN
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TUCKAHOE N.J.
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11/17/97 9:15:15 PM
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MARK, GREAT ARTICLE, TERRIFIC. JUST ONE FUBAR, AN AK-47
WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THE M-14 7.622 ROUND ..AN AKM OR AK-74
5.56 ROUND WOULD BE EQUIVILENT TO M-16
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for pointing out the error, Jack. We'll fix
it.
MB
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Someone who was there.
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Ft. Benning/GA
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11/17/97 11:14:49 PM
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Where did you get your information? Is it necessary to release this information to the public?
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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I answered the where question above. I feel it's
important for the public to know what happens when
we commit troops, for too many reasons to list
them all here. The reality of war ought to give
the public and our leaders appropriate pause
before risking the lives of American soldiers.
For instance, one reaction I've heard a lot is
how surprised people are at the youth of the
soldiers. With the advent of a smaller
volunteer military, the public has less and
less of an accurate picture of our armed forces
every day. One reason I think troops were
committed in Mogadishu was the heady feeling that
followed the Gulf War, which looked nice and
antiseptic on all those videos on CNN. It is also
important for soldiers to know that the world is
watching them, that the actions they take will be
examined and scrutinized, debated, etc. Just like
any other institution, the military can profit by
some independent oversight and criticism, just as
it often deserves our praise and admiration. These
things can only happen honestly when people know
what's going on.
MB
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Jim Austin
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Hatboro, PA
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11/17/97 11:27:01 PM
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Your first piece said this was the biggest single firefight for American troops since the Vietnam War. Weren't there bigger firefights during the Persian Gulf War?
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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The Gulf War was a bigger war, without question,
but the ground fighting that occurred was mostly
fast and furious. The Battle of Mogadishu was a
15-hour-long gunfight pitting about 120 American
soldiers against thousands of Somali irregulars
and militia. Before using that phrase I checked it
with Army officials, who agreed it was accurate.
MB
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Mike Diemer
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Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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11/18/97 1:20:19 AM
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My Brother, Dave, told me this would be coming to print.
Glad to see it. I would like to get your book when it
becomes available. David also tells me there will be
something on PBS. If this is indeed true, can you give me
any details? Th
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Dave was a big help to me, and is a great
storyteller and was a fine soldier. Our
documentary will air in Philadelphia on Channel 12
at 9 pm on Dec. 2. We do not yet have an air time
for a national broadcast, but if you keep checking
with this web site it will tell you when.
MB
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Shumate
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Fayetteville NC
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11/18/97 8:46:46 AM
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Would it be possible to include the audio only of "Delta Steve's" interviews in the audio section? (for those of us with low-speed, less-sophisticated computers) Thank you.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Our technical folks are working on it.
MB
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Henry Goldman
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NY, NY
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11/18/97 9:18:20 AM
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Mark, I'm really enjoying your writing...
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Joseph F. Burns
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Atco, NJ 08004
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11/18/97 11:34:46 AM
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My nephew Ssgt. John Burns was one of the Rangers wounded in
the raid, I want to know if you interviewed him about his
part in the events of that day?
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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I have heard much about the very heroic Staff Sgt.
Burns and would like very much to talk to him. I
don't know his address or phone number and haven't
been able to find it. Would you please ask him to
contact me at 215-854-2400.
MB
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charlie mccurdy
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glenside, pa
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11/18/97 11:42:46 AM
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great series, particularly the background piece!
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Trish Breeds
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Redmond, WA
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11/18/97 1:23:03 PM
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A friend told me about your series on Somalia. My son was
there with the 10th Mountian Division 214th Inf. He is now
a police officer in Castle Rock, Colorado. I have told him
to check out the story. So far no mention of the 214th and
the
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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As your son knows, Trish, the 10th enters the
story closer to the end.
MB
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Lt Bill Schroeder
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Glenside Pa
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11/18/97 1:29:28 PM
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It is important that the public know about the engagement in order to educate and hopefully save American lives in the future when soleless and gutless politicians order us into a hot LZ. Keep your feet and knees together..AMF
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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As the Rangers say, hoo-ah!
MB
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Sean Naylor
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Washington, D.C.
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11/18/97 3:19:13 PM
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Mark, how long did the research for this series take you?
How much did it cost? And are you planning to turn it into a
book?
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Research for something like this kind of starts
out slow and gathers steam. I was interested in
the battle as a potential story from the first day
I heard about it, but assumed that someone who
specializes in military writing would probably do
it up well. In the spring of 1996, working on
another story, I met the father of one of the
Rangers killed on Oct. 3rd, and over a long
afternoon he told me what he knew of the fight.
After that talk I checked out what had been
written and was, frankly, surprised to find so
little. So I started working on it. I've explained
already how it went from there. I have been
working on the story exclusively since February.
I'm not sure how much it's costed. That's not my
department. Yes, it will be a book. Look for it in
fall of next year.
MB
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AKACOP
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HIGHLANDS RANCH,CO
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11/18/97 4:31:44 PM
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I WAS IN THE 214INF BN. I WAS PART OF SECOND PL. I WAS AN AG. AND I WAS IN SOMALIA. I HAVE ONLY READ PARTS OF YOUR STORY BUT MY MOTHER HAS READ ALL OF IT. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WERE GOING TO GIVE CREDIT TO 214. I DONT WANT TO BE RUDE BUT MOST OF THE
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Keep reading.
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AKACOP
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HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO.
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11/18/97 4:40:40 PM
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JUST LOOKING THROUGH YOUR WHO'S WHO. YOU LIST ONLY SPECIAL OPPS PERSONEL. YOU DONT LIST COL. DAVID WHO MADE THE BATTLE PLANE ON THE HOOD OF A TRUCK BY FLASHLIGHT OR THE 125 LIGHT INFANTRY TROOPS THAT WERE A LARGE PART OF THE NIGHT. THANKS AGAIN
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Keep reading.
MB
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Timothy J. Komada (email: TKom
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Williamsburg, Virginia (orig. Holland, PA)
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11/18/97 8:00:32 PM
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Apparently, at the eventual Medal of Honor Ceremony at The White House after the battle, one of the dead soldiers' fathers refused to shake Clinton's hand, rebuking him and stating that he blamed the President for his son's death. Do you recount that
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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I certainly will in the book. We may or may not be
able to get it in the series, since that took
place some time after the battle. That was Randy
Shughart's father.
MB
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chris dugan
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philly PA
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11/18/97 9:06:35 PM
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mark, I'm a former Navy SEAL who is attending the Wharton
School at UPENN now. If you are still in Philly, I'd like to
get together for a beer or coffee sometime to talk about you
r book research. I think you put together a great story.
email
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Chris, your email address did not make it on this
message. I'd enjoy meeting with you. Call me at
215-854-2400, the Inquirer foreign desk.
MB
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Michael Wise
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San Francisco, CA
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11/19/97 2:13:35 AM
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Thank you for such a fascinating series! I have often
wondered what really happened on that fateful day...and find
the accounts of the people who were involved to be riveting.
When will this series be televised? --Michael Wise/Wired
Magazine
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks, Mike. The documentary will air Dec. 2 at 9
pm in Philly on Channel 12, WHYY-TV. No date has
been set yet for a national broadcast. I enjoy
your magazine. I'm longtime friends with Jon Katz,
my favorite internet columnist.
MB
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marion hetzel
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swarthmore, pa.
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11/19/97 8:56:15 AM
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Mark, Have you written anything else? I love your style of
writing. I can feel what each person is going through. I
usually skip over blood and gore and war stories are not my
cup of tea, but your story held me captive!
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks, Marion. I have written two books, "Dr.
Dealer" (Warner Books, 1987) and "Bringing the
Heat" (Knopf, 1994). The first you'll have to get
in a library or used booksellers. The second is
still in a lot of stores and there's lots of
unsold copies out there. I have been writing
newspaper and magazine stories for the Inquier for
18 years, and have written for Rolling Stone,
Playboy, Sports Illustrated and other magazines.
One of my stories, "Finders Keepers," (1985) was
made into the film "Money for Nothing," starring
John Cusack, available in your local video store.
MB
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Paul M Pressley
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Mount Holly, NJ
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11/19/97 9:12:44 AM
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Will this series be a book? It really isn't worth buying
the paper daily for such a brief article. I can't stand
reading the "paper" on-line.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Look for it in Fall 1998. Grove/Atlantic is
publishing it.
MB
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Sue
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McLean, VA
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11/19/97 10:27:59 AM
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Just wondered if you had cooperation of the Dept of Army?
Also if "Delta" interview was "off the record" or sanctioned
by the Army. I take exception to "some" of your comments
reported as "factual" when they might better be considered,
"an opinio
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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The Army helped me to an extend, at least
initially. I think I wore them out with my
questions and requests. Most of the interviews
were conducted outside of official channels. One
of the Delta soliders talked to me with official
permission (he is no longer in that unit) and the
others were unsanctioned. Other than in the
introductory piece which accompanied Chapter One,
everything in the story, all descriptions and
characterizations, are drawn directly from those
who were there. If you listen to some of the
excerpts of interviews on line, I think you'll get
an idea of how the story came together. There was
more license taken in the introductory piece,
which sought to summarize some of what will be
demonstrated in detail in the main story.
MB
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jford
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voorhees, nj
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11/19/97 10:44:23 AM
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No questions. Your story is outstanding. Thank you.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Ken Ward
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Ft. Dix NJ
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11/19/97 2:56:31 PM
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I was deployed to Mogadishu Airport with the USAF Security Police on "Bloody Sunday". We assisted with the wounded when they made it back to the airfield. When is the television report going to be aired? e-mail wardk@x1.mcguire.af.mil Thanks!
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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In Philly on Channel 12, WHYY at 9 pm on Dec. 2.
No national airdate yet.
Thanks
MB
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thom kelly
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philly pa
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11/19/97 8:17:37 PM
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dear mark, i was in 3rd ranger battalion 3 years ago. and have lost contact with one of my best friends there and today he is the subject of todays story
please please i would really like to know if there is any way for you to contact or get message
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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You can reach me at 215-854-2400, the Inquirer
foreign desk. If I can help, I will.
MB
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Barry Kelly
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Marlton, NJ
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11/19/97 9:33:24 PM
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Nice work! I've alerted my Vietnam vet. friends across the
country to check it out. I had no idea they still used the
M-60, much less that they still call it a 'pig'. I'm not
sure what else you've covered, but will watch for your
byline.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Ted Johnson
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Tucson, AZ
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11/19/97 10:37:05 PM
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Great job Mark and crew! How many chapters on line and will
the PBS show nationaly on 12/2?
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Right now the count is 30 chapters in the paper
and on-line, although there will be one or two
other related stories (like an epilogue)that might
not be called chapters. The documentary takes more
of an overview. It is not as much about the battle
in particular, although that's in there, as about
how and why it happened.
MB
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KEN DWYER
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WATERTOWN. NY
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11/20/97 5:38:34 AM
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WHY HASN'T SSG. JOHN J. BURNS, A DELAWARE
COUNTY NATIVE, BRONZE STAR AWARDEE OF THIS BATTLE, WHOM WAS MENTIONED IN "DAVID HACKWORTH'S BOOK ..HAZARDOUS DUTY..BEEN MENTIONED YET????? HE SAVED A FEW RANGERS!!
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Ask him to call me. I don't know how to contact
him
MB
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Ken Dea
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Chadds Ford, PA
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11/20/97 11:19:11 AM
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This is riviting. You really put us in the thick of it. I can see a movie deal out of this. If so, they have to leave it exactly the way it is. Those rangers deserve nothing less.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Becky Yacone
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Haddonfield, N.J.
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11/20/97 12:02:47 PM
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My husband, CPT James Yacone, was one of the pilots on Super
62. Why do you say it was supposed to be paired with Super
64? Super 61 and Super 62 carried "the D men" and the
remaining chalks (including Super 64) carried Ranger
support. All
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Super 61 and Super 62 were assigned to fly the low
orbit over the target building. As Mike Goffena
describes it, they were at opposite ends of a 360.
When Super 61 was shot down, Durant's Super 64 was
called in to take its place, thereby pairing it
with your husband's. If he would like to speak to
me, I'd welcome the opportunity. 215-854-2400, on
the Inquirer foreign desk. He's a brave man.
MB
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Ed Apollo
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Mullica Hill, NJ
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11/20/97 12:37:41 PM
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I have never looked forward to seeing the next day's paper
until your story came out. Kudos to your style and prose;
honor, respect, and admiration to those who experienced it!
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks for your comment.
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Rick Rothacker
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Arlington, VA
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11/20/97 5:33:14 PM
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Just wanted to complement you on some great work. -- Rick Rothacker, former Neighbors correspondent, current defense reporter at Legi-Slate News Service.
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Mark Bowden
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11/20/97 5:00:57 PM
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Thanks. MB
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