The Daily Mail identifies the Americans as Marines.
One of the hero Marines who foiled a planned terror attack on a French train was shot in the neck while disarming the crazed gunman on Friday.
The two unarmed servicemen spotted the 26-year-old Moroccan acting suspiciously and heard him trying to arm his weapon in the toilet of the high speed train between Amsterdam and Paris.
The gunman got on the train in Brussels and attempted his attack soon after crossing the French border.
The 26-year-old Moroccan national, who was known to security services, came out of the toilet brandishing the gun and opened fire. Fortunately, two US Marines were nearby and overpowered him before he could massacre passengers.
The suspected terrorist had at least nine full magazines of ammunition holding almost 300 rounds. He was also carrying a knife.
Unfortunately, one of the Marines was shot although his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. […]
It is understood that the gunman boarded the train, which had more than 550 passengers on board, in Brussels and made his move as soon as it crossed into France. […]
French media claim that the suspect was previously known to French security services and was living in Spain. He has already been linked to a number of radical Islamic groups. He was classed, according to FranceInfo.fr as ‘potentially dangerous’.
Speaking in Arras, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve praised the Marines for their timely intervention.
He said: ‘Thanks to them we have averted a drama.
‘(The Americans were) particularly courageous and showed extreme bravery in extremely difficult circumstances.’
I believe we can safely assume the Moroccan wasn’t a Quaker.
CNN says there has been no confirmation on what branch of the US Military these two Americans were part of:
A massacre on a high-speed train in Belgium was prevented Friday when two members of the U.S. military in civilian clothing surprised an Islamist militant, authorities said.
The suspect was loading his automatic Kalashnikov rifle in a toilet, apparently preparing to attack, when the service members confronted him, said a European counterterrorism official.
The gunman fired on them with a handgun, the official said, wounding at least one. Three people were injured aboard the Thalys train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris, authorities said.
The service members overpowered the suspect, who was placed under arrest when the train was rerouted to the French town of Arras, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Paris.
A U.S. military member was wounded, a Pentagon official said.
It was not clear in what branch of the military the Americans served.
Whatever branch they served with, these men exhibited the highest behavior borne of moral character and bravery.
Bravo to all our military troops. May God bless these two, may God bless them all.
“Thanks to them we have averted a drama.”
Is that how the French are describing mad muslim murder and mayhem ?
I have a feeling those two weren’t there by happenstance.
I could be wrong…
Danger
IMHO someone didn’t do a great job of translating the French
Holland said “Je fais part de ma solidarité aux blessés de l’attaque du train Amsterdam-Paris. Tout est mis en œuvre pour faire la lumière sur ce drame.”
ce drame literally translates as drama, but in this context it better translates as “tragedy”.
Brief post-incident video from Alex Skarlatos, one of the two American servicemen.
Somebody needs to start one of those White House petition thingys to get the wounded marine the Purple Heart he deserves.
Frankly, they both deserve to be decorated for this insignificant action in the Global War on Terror.
If, by chance, it hasn’t been confirmed that the two American servicemen were Marines, I for one am almost certain that they indeed were.
Only Marines are trained to attack ambushers.
While I don’t think it’ll happen I wouldn’t be surprised that in a few weeks time some place like Slate or Vox puts up an article condemning the men who stopped this potential massacre as the reason for it even happened. Seems like something they’d do.
Two Marines to save France…
Greetings:
Lafayette, we are here (again).
Or, alternatively, en mon Francais, “Lafayette, nous sommes ici (encore un fois).
Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité. Pas de Islamité.
Seems this post needs an update, turns out there were three Americans. A national Guardsman, An airman, and a college student. No Marines.
Also, the Guardsman was cut, not shot.
Seems you don’t have to be A marine to be bad ass…
Lee
I just did an update in a new posting.