Close-Quarters Battle In Fallujah | Afghanistan Chaos | 2X Purple Heart Recipient 🇺🇸
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2024
- This week’s Urban Valor episode features Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Praxedes. This Marine is a 2x Purple Heart Recipient that saw a close-quarters battle in Fallujah, Chaos in Afghanistan, and so much more.
Thomas grew up in Los Angeles, CA and wanted to be a soldier until he saw a Marine in dress blues. After the September 11th attack on America, he committed to the Marine Corps. Thomas served in the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 where he experienced up close and personal combat with the enemy during urban warfare. He also served in Sangin, Afghanistan where his platoon would stumble across a field of buried IEDs causing trauma, chaos, and loss of life. After experiencing everything Thomas did, he put in for early retirement in order to deal with his mental health.
Military mental health and veteran PTSD are major reasons Urban Valor exists. As we started this movement to bring awareness, attention, and support to mental health for military veterans.
Thomas Praxedes story is action-packed from start to finish and is truly one for the books here at Urban Valor.
Dude I need on this channel. We lost 8 guys one day to a 2000 pound IED in Afghanistan in 2009. It was the most horrific thing I ever saw in my life. And the smell of burning flesh of Americans made me pass out I was 19 years old. 1-17in 2nd sbct cco 2 platoon
so get in contact with him then
Do you know a guy named Isaiah beckham?
5/2 Punishers!
@@TaMaoLeMaNuLuA strike and destroy second to none
@@Stonewallgaston Buffalos!
I wish the politicians would watch interviews like this before sending men to war, and before pulling out of the places they fought for.
A nice sentiment but the PPL that rule over America consider PPL like this Marine fools and pawns.
They wouldn't care even of they did know amd most of the time they do know. They don't give a fuck
I would say a qualification for politicians should be to serve 4yr Minimum.
Nah they just stack $ while soldiers die for no reason. 20 years in the east on a lie and americans ate it up. It won't change.
Other peoples kids deaths don't bother them. As long as it doesn't bother the money they make from invading countries.
That's a Marine warfighter, 110 proof. I can relate to everything he says, 55 years after my own tour in the Corps. We are timeless, as Marine combatants. Stay in touch with the Marine inside you, Gunny - it's an integral part of you, a source of strength when you need it. God bless you, man. Live your life in part honor of those who are gone too soon, you're keeping them alive in memory. To be forgotten is like being left behind on the battlefield.
Civilian here. Interesting to read combat veterans' words of wisdom.
"Once a marine always a marine " Leroy Jethro gibbs
Agreed 100 percent
Marines never leave anyone from their units on a battlefield after a fight. If Infantry can't get them out they will send Recon teams at night to pull them out
I had the honor of serving with Gunny Praxedes for a couple days at the time he was an E6. From what I remember one of the best, humblest and funniest Marines I had the pleasure of working with. He left a positive impression on me as a young E5 in a short amount of time. Glad to see him doing well randomly on the internet.
Semper Fi brother
Thank you for being a fucking man among men.
🙏💪🫡
This man is an incredible American. Thank God he has been able to find meaning and purpose after these traumatic life changing experiences.
100%
He’s one of the main reasons why I pursued infantry in the Marine Corps 2014 1/3 lava dogs!
He was the head recruiter at the time I was joining the Poole program.
This is one of the heaviest interview's i've ever seen. Thank you both for sharing.
Yes it really is. This was incredibly powerful, heavy, and so courageous. We're honored to share Thomas' story.
man if you love this channels content you should check out "The Shawn Ryan Show,"
It's always been tough sledding to be Marine Infantry (GRUNT). I did that as a 0311 two years. I noticed over the years your luck is based on your depoyments, once your done training. If you are deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the wrong place, wrong time, you can get into really bad stuff and you gotta take brothers home to their parents from Dover Air Force Base. Taking my best friend home, in a casket, was toughest thing i ever did
@@brucepeckham6043 Thanks for your service brother. I just hope you are doing OK.
I served in Vietnam in 1968 / 69 3rd Battalion L company 1/5. I fought at the Battle of Hue City. I was 17 years old at the time and didn't know shit. I'd been involved in a couple of small actions But Hue city was my wake up call. Urban combat is no fucking joke. The enemy, VC and Nva were in prepared fighting position and they took it to us. Without air support we'd of been fucked. Lost a lot of buddies in that action. It was close to 150 Kia and over 1,000 wounded. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my buddies and that God awful battle I can relate to everything this young warrior is saying. Semper Fi brother.
Thanks for service , I appreciate it
Maybe you Marines and other branches of the US should be more appreciative of your Air force big brain brothers then.
And Space force since they're the youngest branch.
@@LB-uo7xy1% of the air force is like that now straight geeks. marines go through hell on the ground in the front
I couldn’t have more respect for this Devil Dog. As a fellow Marine I couldn’t be prouder. Semper Fi
Thank you so much for your support and your service!
So I did my tour in Nangarhar province from August of 2010 to 2011 (101st), "The Surge." Some of the things he said confirmed my experiences as well, especially about the Iraq enemy being the JV squad and the Afghans being the Varsity. It was my first and only deployment, but most of our guys had multiple deployments, we had a Samoan guy on #7. About Two months in one of our section sergeants, on his 4th tour after three in Iraq, looked off into the distance with wide eyes and said to himself: "...I thought the Iraqis were bad..."
I too at least initially, walked around with candy in my pockets for the kids...that all stopped. I remember one time in particular, our platoon was rolling between two hills (MRAPs) and there were some stones and garbage in the narrow road which caused us to slow down and move around them. As we did, some kids appeared at the top of one of the hills and bombarded us with large rocks when our dismounts got out to move the road blocks. I just remember thinking: "these little fuckers are practicing to be future Taliban, and they're practicing their ambushing skills." +
I had some of the exact same experiences as this guy in terms of monitoring the kids. The kids would tell you everything you needed to know about the village.
I am haunted still by what one of our terps told me: "What you are doing here will never work, you are too nice and my people only understand violence." What are we supposed to do? Kill you all?
Our intel guys let us down, we never really understood that place or how complicated it was. Cultural relativism has no place there, if you think every culture is equally good and beautiful go to this poop-hole for a year, it will cure you. I would love to send all the hippies and lefties there for a year so they can gain a better understanding of how lucky we all are to not live there, or a place like that. Maybe then, they will have a little less loathing for their country. I now wake up every day and thank God for my good fortune.
If there is a more complicated place on earth, I wouldn't know where that would be. What those people do to themselves is worse than whatever we did to them.
Best comment, my husband says the same after OEF.
Man, your very last sentence is so true. They’re very complicated and it’s a completely different society there. Violence is a part of their daily lives
@bjw9529 So bizarre to me that humans can be so hostile, with apparently no care of life. These are not Humans.
I'm pissed.
My buddy pretty much told me the same. He said having to deal openly with pedos pissed him off to no end.
⛩
The reverse psychology of the Corps is absolutely true. I walked into the recruiter and he said “What can you do for us today?”
I walked in and the recruiter told marine recruiter told me to get the hell out so I went to the army 😭😭
Thats actually genius thinking about it..its like business marketing..but instead of selling the idea..your making them questio. Why they are DESERVING of the idea..if you get my drift. The pen example from Wolf of wall street, except reversed and bringing the business to them lol
Wow. I “met” him through IG during the Afghanistan pullout trying to get out translators, allies, ANA etc. Such a great, great man. He NEVER gave up, literally I don’t think he slept for a solid two weeks. He helped SO many. I’m so glad to hear his full story here.
I wasn’t a grunt, and my experience in Iraq wasn’t nearly as bad as the stories told here. It’s men like him, that make me even more proud of being a Marine. Semper Fi.
Brother, your service was equally valuable. Don’t sell yourself short. You answered the call!
Same
@@camc8879 no it was not this is the lie everyone needs to stop telling pogs this your just lying to them & they already know this.
Goosebumps man. Goosebumps. I can only aspire to lead a life of selfless service and to the greater good of my fellow brothers and sisters in this world. Just like you and all of your marines and veterans who stood 10 toes down in the face of death and did what had to be done. I am not a marine or a veteran of any sort but my family served in ww1, ww2, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. But I will always remember what my ancestors have sacrificed to afford me and my peers the freedoms to live the life that we live.🙏🙏
❤
Hi, I’m Canadian 🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸 God Bless this man & God Bless Our Troops.
Every morsel of respect that I can offer goes to this man
Agreed
Gunny praxedes!! one of the greatest human beings i have ever met and known!
The honor of being a Marine that no one could take away.
Yes!
@@UrbanValorTV fuiI
Hogan was a damn good man. You wouldn’t remember me man, but we were the trackers attached to y’all in Sangin, patrolling the 605. They wouldn’t bring tracks to afghan due to the safer MRAPs so we just attached to y’all. I was with Baker the day he stepped on the IED that took his life after leaving OP Brannon. That day still haunts me. I was medivaced in October after my 3rd hit, but those 5 months with y’all are the proudest days of my life. Semper fi brother.
Hey brother, I was in charge of PB Fleming on the 605 just south of what we called the Manchin. It was at the Bazaar, I had 4 of your guys attached to me and we took yalls interpreter Sam. I still talk with Sam to this day. David Baker was a great man and my best friend. I didn't know Hogan like that since he was in Alpha, but I heard he was the same as David, and they both went out saving the brothers around them. Which group of guys were you attached to? And could you help me find the guys attached to me?
Thank you Sir for all you did and continue to do 🙏 I pray you live a long prosperous life God bless you ! I’m Canadian 🇨🇦 and thank god for the Marines everyday
Heroes all.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Thankyou
May these stores never be lost. This is true history.
For all who served I thank you!
🙏🏼 appreciate the support 🇺🇸
This interview left me speechless. I have so much respect for all those who have served especially ones who were deployed and fought. I’m enlisting in the corps, I want to be alongside these men fighting with them. Thank you for service for all marines.
Thank you for watching brother 🙏🏼
SEMPER FIDELIS THOMAS thank you for words and your time spent I'm greatful for its gonna help me bear the weight of the issues still troubling me and boost my positive needs of pride of my marine crops values I've held on to for good in my life time it was the greatest time of my life
I was with 3/3 Comm platoon. 2003-2007. We lost 3 Comm brothers and 1 Motor T brother during our Iraq 2006 deployment in Haditha, Iraq. I didn't witness their deaths in person, but I made sure to never forget the greatness and influencethey'veleft upon me. I now live my life in their honor and make it a personal mission that their legacy is told to people that ask about my military past.
Gone, but not forgotten.
What a exceptional man. There is still hope for our country because it produces guys like you. Thank you Marine, Semper Fi.
One heck of a leader and Marine. Semper Fi
💯
What an amazing young man
This was an amazing interview. Hearing all of this makes me super proud to have been in the Marine Corps and to have been around men of this caliber. I also got a kick out of hearing him talk about hitting the fleet when older seniors were still wearing BDUs instead of Marpat... I got to the fleet around the same time and chuckled a bit when he brought it up.
It’s crazy to hear the stories straight from a guy in the unit that relieved us in 2010. I still remember the day that 1stSgt Carlisle got wounded. Sangin was a hell of a fight.
Oct 09 thru May of 2010 amd I will agree. I did the push thru Marjah with 3/10 arty
I remember him from bootcamp. He was our first Sgt. Sad to hear he passed away
@@thebeachguy6697🫡 rah
He was my senior di in 04. Great fucking man. I'll never forget him. RIP brother
@thebeachguy6697 what unit and who did you relieve?
Much respect. I'm a vet also. I missed combat by a very short time. Always felt I wasn't worthy of being called a vet until a cousin of mine who did 2 tours in Afghanistan sat down and talked.
If you were a grunt even in no combat, there is no going back to normal for most. You’ll be always be an overly aggressive, mean, stupid, rock eater deep deep down. The worst part is… we don’t want to go back to normal. Life is better this way. But is it? Can’t speak for other MOS but I imagine it’s very close.
I’ve watched this interview twice now. This is an awesome man and proud to have men like this that has sacrificed so much for all of us in this country.
Thank you for your service. Love to hear when our vets are crushing it. Keep doing what your doing and I pray more blessings upon you.
I was never in the military, but man I can listen to these stories all day! Thank you everyone who is serving or has ever served for your service! Thank you!
Man this resonated with me so much. It reminds me of my time in southern Afghanistan in 2012. I only did 6 years, Army EOD, but everything you said about during and after your deployment is just so true. Thanks for being brave enough to share.
Man this one was heavy .... May those marines rest well, thank you for your service n dedication...
Semper Fi Gunny Praxedes and thank you for your service to this country and all of us! What you endured, saw, and did is beyond normal comprehension. Your bravery and your Marines dedication and bravery to stay on task and in the fight speaks volumes of you all.
Dude I couldn’t listen to it anymore. I’m so proud that there getting these videos out there I hope it keeps on going but god dam.
Your being a little dramatic... I can hear it jus fine
I'm sorry I've misunderstood what you said I thought you were complaining about the audio but maybe instead you mean how heavy this episode was
Dude is pure badass. And even has a badass Marine name....Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Praxedes.
Yeah that is a cool name
Yes indeed!
The basics are the most important lessons learned. Thank you for your service
That was deep and emotional man. Excellent interview!
Thanks so much! We appreciate your support!
When are young marines go to learn they can not earn respect by using filthy language, vietnam marine.
Holy smokes! The stories this warrior has, absolutely amazing. I felt like I was right there with him. God bless all of our service members (past, present, future). Semper Fi brother!! 🇺🇲💪👊
this has been one of the most brutal interviews i’ve heard on this channel.
i wanted to be a marine growing job but i took a different path and wrong choices, but i would’ve loved for the opportunity to serve my country in the military. thank you for your service!!!
Your support brother means a lot to us. Thank you 🤙🏼🇺🇸👊🏼
Always regretted not joining up after missing max enlistment age in 01. But then I see these guys who’ve been in the shit and realize that I would have been of little service. No way I could go on after a day like that dude had. Respect, brother.
I like where you're coming from. Humility, respect and gratitude. But I can't help but wonder how many fresh recruits may have the same doubts you describe. And how boot camp and training forges something inside a man he did not know he had.
Mad respect from this civilian.
I enlisted and left for Parris Island 6 weeks after turning 17. I flew in with someone who was a week away from being too old. His maturity helped him, as it did those who enlisted at ages such as 22, 25, 26, etc. Their experiences before the Corps were always interesting. Being placed in a billet that required them to follow my orders did feel odd. I was Infantry. I had just help place a KIA down that I knew very well, when I realized that I was going to college when my four years were up. You would have done well in the Corps. Basic Recruit training is actually the easiest part. Life in the FMF in peacetime is a chore. Definitely stays with you if you deploy to a combat theater as an Infantryman. You feel that gap in your life when you decide to sit down as a freshman on day one of class. I had a GED. I became a teacher. Life is good.
Great interview. SF
@@michaelsinclair7253 Wow, Mike. Well said. Thanks for your service and the stones it took to do your duty. I hope you continue to thrive.
@@reddiver7293 yeah, that’s also a nagging regret too - maybe once I got off the bus at Paris Island the D.I.s / esprit de corps might have changed my mind but alas, I can’t go back. I did ask my helicopter pilot cousin what he thought about joining the army around that time as they were taking anyone it seemed up till 43 or something. He looked at me rather coldly and said, Mike, man… you definitely don’t want to be in the army. I still don’t know what he meant by that but the dude was Uber competent and I believed him. Oh well… next life, I guess. All that said, thanks for steppin up, brother.
@@xWIREDOGx
Good fortune to you, my brother.
This brother saw it all. Some crazy experiences. He could tell some doozys as a recruiter. (But recruiting young men who died in war is super heavy.)
He sure did David! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! We appreciate it!
One of the best listen to's.....my unit was a reserve unit that participated in Phantom Fury....Bravo 1/23. Cajuns...attached to 3rd LAR Wolf Pack....we were lucky to not have KIA...we had WIA's...Alpha Co & Charlie Co had KIA's...but i know friends that were KIA's & WIA's from other units. It bothers me that i left Iraq not losing a digit...it bothers me...but we all keep marching...stay strong for your family & fellow Marines.....i miss my Corps....i pray for peace but always prepared for war....that never goes away..... Thanks Gunny P!
Semper Fidelis
His kindness as a Marine, you'll follow him. This story hurts bad. Him knowing the guy who died, he brought in. IT HITS HARDER.
Thank you and all Veterans for their service 🙏 be safe
Thank you Gunny Praxedes for these planet sized stones you carry in your heart on my behalf- I’m humbled by your generosity as well as your bravery, and thanks for your stories so well told 🙏🏾
Thomas you are awesome thank you and your fellow marines for keeping us American citizens safe. God bless you all. R.I.P to all who died.
🙏
This guy is a fucking Legend and amazing LEADER! Just from hearing his story, they don’t make Leaders like this anymore. He literally left recruiting duty to go to his recruits unit, who was KIA. Speechless
I am going to try to listen to all of them. I can't thank you guys enough for your service.
Rip earbud users
What an incredible interview. I must say I watch a lot of vets speaking on these podcasts and they are all good and all important. This one was riveting.
What an amazing story. Thank you
THanks for the support!
Man. So much respect. Amazing. Thank you sir for your service and sacrifice. God bless you
Thanks for sharing this story. I was never in the military, but I would follow this guy into a fight if I had to, and probably even if I didn't have to. I used to think when I was younger that people who signed up were foolish, and maybe in way they are, but it's impossible for me not to have respect for this kind of composure, responsibility, and directed seriousness. To show up in his recruit's stead is a legendary and redemptive move.
This guy is a very strong man, I'm in awe. You def make your people and fellow marines proud.
I’m speechless with his story god bless them
This man has a solid heart this here is what a real man looks like kind caring and prepared for what ever it takes for the men he leads all the possible respect a man can have for another thank you bro your men and you made and make us proud beyond the ability to convey to you thank you sir salute
Love you Sgt P. You got me into the corps. I didn't come to you, you found me and I thank you.
Thomas thank you for serving our great country you are so greatly appreciated. Your story is amazing you have the utmost respect for the Corps, for those you served with and those that made the ultimate sacrifice. I wish the people that are trying to destroy everything that makes our country so great would listen to you and others that served and the sacrifices made so that they can voice their opinions at the same they have no clue what its like to see your a killed or to suffer the physical and emotional scares of combat. I have a hardtime for those that don't stand up for our flag or any disrespect to our flag period. You are a great inspiration, your humble, your very respectiful you are great American. I wish you the best and I know you'll do well in whatever you want in life. You are a hero, thank you once again and your a great American God Bless you.
You nailed it gunny,I did two hitches,back in 79-86,cold war,but even then,we did it the same way,sweat in peace,when I got out,I started my own construction company,30 years,retired at 55,semper Fi!
Freedom isn’t free. Facing evil and dying for your brothers . Thanks to all of our brave men and woman who died for our freedom and who came back to share their stories. We’ll never forget their stories.
Damn Brother, What an intense session. Iim sweating w tears. Blows my mind what Marines do.
Thank you ALL !
Sgt Praxedes may not be an educated man but no one can deny he is very intelligent and deep feeling than most of us civilians. I am very proud of his dedication of service to protect our future from half a world away
Gunnery sergeant would be the correct manner in which you refer to him. We don’t half ass rank in the marine corps.
He's a Gunnery Sergeant , and he is highly educated.
Praxedes. Phenomenal. An American Warrior. The best of a generation. Thank you, truly. God bless. 🇺🇸
Thank God for the USMC and ALL of you who serve and your families. Greater love has no man than those who lay down their life for their friends.
I'm stationed at DAFB. Witnessing a dignified transfer is one of the most humbling ceremonies that I've ever witnessed.
R.I.P to all of our fallen soldiers.
I remember hearing stories about Sgt. Major Kasal. Guy was a legend. At my unit when I was in the corps we had his picture of being carried out by two other marines with pistol in hand. Definitely a historical moment. The part that always got me was the trigger discipline even after being wounded. This was an incredible story and even as a former Marine I cannot fathom the realities of combat. Especially in felluja…. Within close quarters. That’s some scary shit! Thank you for your service.
God bless.
Appreciate your support 👊🏼🇺🇸🤙🏼
@@UrbanValorTV No problem!
So I’m a civilian. Always have been, never served, but I a lot of family who did. I found your channel a week or two ago, I just want to say that ever since then, I haven’t watched anything else besides this channel. I sit at my civilian Job making gas tanks for the big 3. Binging these stories. I watched probably about 30-45 videos so far. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to our soldiers who sacrificed to make sure our country was being protected. Also shoutout to your families and also the fallen soldiers. The drill instructor Randall is one of my favorite interviews. You can tell he’s a great guy. And his quote at the end is very true and I’m very appreciative of that. “Millions of Americans lay in bed and sleep peacefully every night because of rough gentlemen ready to do violence on their behalf” thank you guys very much. ❤
Amazing interview. Really hits home. I went to Saddleback for nursing school and grew up in Mission Viejo. Thank you for your service. God bless you.
Thank you for your service sir
Thanks for bringing us this Marines story.
Thank you so much Thomas for sharing and your service. I would love to be your friend if I ever got a chance to meet or talk to you. I wish you all the best in life.
Wow... A powerful interview thank you for letting us in your life & your experience. For your service. To those Men and women who didn't make it back home, Always remembered never forgotten 🙏🏾 TRUE HEROS
Wow! The most remarkable, heart wrenching, incredible interview. This man is amazing. Much respect to him.
This soldier is what we need to continue the legacy. His delivery was masterful and I salute him for his bravery and soldiering.
Deeply grateful for you and to you ❤️
Wow!! This hit so hard!! Articulated so well I fell it. 🙏🏽❤️
This is one of the better videos of a combat Marine's experience that I've seen...... much respect to this Marine and thank you for sharing!
What an amazing human - I wish that I had words to describe how thankful & grateful that I am for him, and every Service Member, that fought for our freedom … that fought in wars; not one day has gone by in my adult life that I don’t Pray for all of our soldiers. 🇺🇸
Much respect to you and your Marines brother! Pray the best for you and yours! Semper Fidelis to you and the Marines you served with!
“I’m in the middle of a mine field brother” DAMN! Really can’t even imagine that. Sheesh man. My heart goes out to all the vets man. Including both my parents. Combat vets deserve a lot more
What an incredible Marine!!! May the lord continue to guide you through your journey of healing and life 🙏…Thank you for your service!!!!🙏
Army infantryman to marine corp infantryman. Respect brother. Grew up as well in L.A. county. I promise we’re not all POGS!
I was a Marine Infantryman and later joined the ARNG as an Infantryman. Infantry is infantry. Both of my experiences were outstanding and filled with highly motivated professionals. I’m proud of all the units I had the pleasure to serve in.
Truth. I was 1/3 marines and we would go to Schofield to use the 25ths mout town
love listening to these while im doing stuff on my computer
We appreciate your support big time! Thank you!
Unbelievable young man. God bless him.
In the middle of him telling his story which took me to a place where I'm in his moment and also back into my own moment, where everything is fucked: youtube/Google comes in with some skincare ad. Just made me want to dig a hole to stick my head in and scream.
Thank you for one tough assed interview.
A life so beyond my reality, it might as well be a film. Amazing to hear. My respect and awe for these guys cannot be described.
Thank you brother
You truly are a leader and embody the corps thank you for the motivation to drive on. I’ll never forget…
Damn this man deserves nothing but Love and Respect !!!
Thank you very very much for your service.
Very inspiring. Thank you gentlemen
Much respect and love brother! Wow, I had tears a couple of times.!
Thank you for your service and I wish you a happy rest of your life.
Appreciate that brother🙏🏼 wishing you a happy life as well 🤙🏼
One of the greatest men I know
Agreed!
Awesome interview! This gentleman is First Class. Thank you for getting to tell his story!!
Thank you for your service. And for narrating experiences for a civilian like me that has absolutely no concept of what you and your fellow Marines braved. Respect and gratitude is all I have to offer. Which feels inadequate. But thank you. On behalf of all Americans safe within our borders. Thank you.
It was a pleasure listening to this well spoken man talk about some of his experiences as a combat Marine. A raw unfiltered account of what he saw and what he was thinking at the time as well as how it affected him later. Men like this are the strength of America.