Pentagon: Rescued POW In 'Good Spirits'
Lynch Rescued In Commando Mission
Posted: 9:59 a.m. EST April 2, 2003
Updated: 2:25 p.m. EST April 2, 2003
The Pentagon said rescued American POW Jessica Lynch is in "good spirits."
Spokeswoman Victoria Clarke said the 19-year-old soldier is being treated for injuries, but Clarke did not give details.
A U.S. commando raid rescued the Army soldier from a hospital in Iraq Tuesday night. She was captured and held prisoner by the Iraqis on March 23 after her unit was ambushed.
Clarke said all of America is thankful that Lynch was rescued, and she praised the special operations troops that retrieved her.
Lynch is on her way to Germany for medical treatment.
U.S. Central Command said U.S. troops held true to their motto of never leaving a comrade behind.
At a war briefing Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks said some "brave souls" put their lives on the line to rescue Lynch. (Full Story)
A video that was taken during the rescue raid was shown at the war briefing. It shows several troops carrying Lynch, (pictured below, right) on a stretcher to a waiting helicopter.
A picture of her was also shown, in which she appeared alert.
Brooks said she's getting medical care, but would not give details on her condition. "I don't want to comment too specifically on her condition. The good news is that she's alive and in coalition control," Brooks said.
He said that Lynch was held by the Iraqi regime.
"The regime was holding her. The regime clearly had done this," Brooks said.
Meanwhile, President George W. Bush is said to be "full of joy" at Lynch's rescue, and "tremendously proud" of the commandos who pulled it off.
But Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said that joy is tempered by the knowledge that other Americans are still prisoners of the Iraqi regime.
The president was informed of the successful raid on an Iraqi hospital by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Tuesday afternoon. Aides quote Bush as saying, "That's great!"
Fleischer said the rescue force represented "the heart and soul of America's military" -- and its creed of never leaving anybody behind.
Family Awaits Soldier's Return
Lynch can expect a big hug when she returns to her rural West Virginia home.
And her father, Greg, said he hopes he's able to deliver that hug soon.
The 19-year-old Army supply clerk was rescued Tuesday during a raid on an Iraqi hospital. 11 bodies also were found. (Full Story) "We did unfortunately also find the remains of 11 persons who were unidentified at this point," Brooks said.
Video broadcast on network television showed Jessica being carried from a helicopter on a stretcher. Greg Lynch said the family has not been told what her condition is or when they might be able to see her.
Lynch's older brother Greg said he was always sure his sister was alive and well. He told reporters at the family home that when relatives got the call about Jessica, "the roof got a little higher."
He said the family had been down during the ordeal, but their hope and faith were up.
Jessica's brother is in the Army and her younger sister is also enlisting in the military. Their mother said she supports them fully.
Family members said they haven't gotten details on Jessica's condition, but Greg Lynch said after seeing a picture of her on the news, he thinks his sister seems to be doing "extremely well."
Jessica's father said he hopes to talk to his daughter soon. He says when he got a call about her rescue, he thought it was an April Fools' joke.
He joked "the little brat's caused a big stir," and said when Jessica comes back home, they're planning "one heck of a big shindig."
Jessica was part of the 507th Maintenance Company. The unit from Fort Bliss in El Paso was ambushed near Nasiriyah after making a wrong turn. Five other members of her unit were later shown on Iraqi television answering questions.
Greg Lynch said he's proud of the troops who rescued his daughter.
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Copyright 2003 by KITV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.