"Meet the only Soldier known to have charged the Taliban with a bayonet in Afghanistan"

2015-08-07T15:43:36-04:00

From: The Telegraph

Corporal Sean Jones of 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Regiment was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Afghanistan. While he was on patrol in Afghanistan he was surrounded in a complex ambush set up by the Taliban.

Cpl Jones said, “I have been shot at quite a few times and could tell the enemy was close. Gravel and dirt were flying up all around me from the bullets.” He was able to fire a rocket at one of the insurgent positions. Then he ordered three of his men to fix bayonets, shouted “follow me”, and led them on a bayonet charge across 260ft of open ground through Taliban gunfire!

The soldier’s citation states that Cpl Jones demonstrated “unflinching courage and extraordinary leadership in the face of extreme and tangible danger”. He “epitomised the best qualities of the British infantry: gritty determination, controlled aggression, tactical cunning and complete disregard for his own safety”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9571522/Soldier-who-led-Afghanistan-bayonet-charge-into-hail-of-bullets-honoured.html

Meet the only Soldier known to have charged the Taliban with a bayonet in Afghanistan

While he was on patrol in Afghanistan he was surrounded in a complex ambush set up by the Taliban.

Response by CPL(P) Bret Farritor made Aug 7 at 2015 3:46 PM

2015-08-07T15:46:23-04:00

Outstanding! In the finest tradition of John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, nicknamed “Mad Jack”!

Response by SSG John Erny made Aug 7 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-08-07T16:08:16-04:00

He has a "brass pair"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-08-07T16:24:07-04:00

true hero

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 7 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-08-07T18:56:47-04:00

Proof that not every super-hero wears a cape: Many don boots & utes..

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 11:44 PM

2015-08-07T23:44:00-04:00

I bet the Taliban were wondering what the hell and probably getting scared with this kind of attack.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 8 at 2015 2:09 AM

2015-08-08T02:09:04-04:00

Having spent some time with the Royal Marines from Northern Ireland that helped Train US Marines in Riot Control Procedures, I'm not surprised in the Least. I loved the time I spent with Her Majesties Royal Military although they did have a Penchant for Spinning me UP and making me want to throw down with them.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 8 at 2015 2:10 AM

2015-08-08T02:10:29-04:00

This guy has the heart of a lion

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 8 at 2015 2:19 AM

2015-08-08T02:19:08-04:00

Bayonet charge on the enemy! "I was just doing my job?" This has raised the bar to an almost impossible level. Our allies have some real life Rambo grunts! I'd love to know what was going through the enemy's mind when they saw this guy coming at them. I remember this badass as well a while back.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393355/Hero-Gurkha-handed-bravery-medal-Queen-said-I-thought-I-going-die--I-tried-kill-I-could.html

'I thought I was going to die... so I tried to kill as many as I could': Hero Gurkha receives...

Corporal Dipprasad Pun, from Kent, defeated more than 30 Taliban fighters single-handedly and has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

Response by SGT Robert Riley made Aug 9 at 2015 4:18 PM

2015-08-09T16:18:55-04:00

Many people would read that and say how archaic it is, "using a bayonet charge in 21st warfare" yet it is the infantryman who in the end has to winkle out the entrenched enemy when airstrikes, mortar attacks and artillery fails to do the job. The British Army and a few other countries still teach bayonet drill but as of 2010, the US Army no longer teaches it, which is sad because, there is a psychological factor involved when the bayonet is used as a last resort. As someone pointed out, "there is something visceral about plunging a sharpened bayonet into someone's entrails." . We may enjoy the luxury of superior fire power, but what if there is that moment, when your opponent overruns your position and ammo is expended or a melee in the close confines of a fortified mud fort. A bayonet, believe or not would can be he deciding factor in that scenario.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 9 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-08-09T16:48:28-04:00

It reminds me of a Burka guard who killed like 24 Taliban at a single man outpost.

Response by Cpl John M Dutrow made Aug 9 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-08-09T18:53:58-04:00

Well done

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 2:30 AM

2015-08-10T02:30:06-04:00

As a Soldier and former Marine I have a place in my heart for bayonets. I used one during the invasion of Iraq.
Currently I am trying to influence my COC not to get rid of the ones we have in our arms room, saying they are obsolete.
This Soldier has proven the use of them. Thank you CPL Jones.

V/R,
Davidson
Ssg Engineers

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 2:48 AM

2015-08-10T02:48:02-04:00

Thanks for the positive messages guys it means a lot but i was just doing my job on the day I'm no hero thank you. @jones6876 on Twitter

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-08-13T13:26:31-04:00

Would be an honor to follow you any day, Mr. Jones

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Aug 13 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-08-13T13:38:49-04:00

The set of nuts on this guy must be epic!