Soldier saves American after attack

Corp. Neil MacLean has been awarded the “COMKAF Commendation” in recognition of the “outstanding professionalism and leadership” he demonstrated after a rocket attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan Sept. 25. His parents only recently found out about the incident because he didn’t wish to worry his mother while still overseas, says Phil MacLean.

MacLean says at about 10 p.m., Corp. MacLean, a 14-year career soldier serving with a multi-national unit at the time, was talking to some American soldiers when a loud explosion emanating from about 30 feet away shook the airfield area.

“When the rocket struck, there was pandemonium because it was totally unexpected. He realized people were probably in the tent and nobody was doing anything to help so he ran into the tent, which was a smoldering heap. It was 10 o’clock at night and pitch black.

“He found the one American soldier under a pile of rubble who was critically injured. He would have died if Neil hadn’t got him out. Two other soldiers were completely disorientated but he managed to get them out too.”

Corp. MacLean then organized people to put out the fire and get the soldiers to hospital.

“In the meantime,” his father says, “he suffered a wound to the foot. He didn’t realize it until after, probably because his adrenalin was pumping so hard.” The shrapnel was removed. However, his foot still hurt more than it should the next morning. More shrapnel was found at the hospital.

He also temporarily lost most of his hearing.

In an email from Afghanistan, Corp. MacLean said he couldn’t comment directly about the incident due to operational security reasons.

“As for my response to the incident, it was simply instinct. I have spent my entire career in the infantry save for the last year since my remuster to traffic tech. My first tour here was in 2006 as an infantryman working outside the wire. I suppose my response to the incident was simply due to my training and experience as an infantryman.”

He says he was “honoured and humbled” to receive the commendation.

He recently returned to Canada for a short period but has been sent back. He is part of Number 8 Wing, CFB Trenton in Ontario.

Obviously, MacLean says, he and his wife are proud. “He doesn’t really tell us everything that happens because he doesn’t want to worry his mother. But we’re proud of the job he’s done over the past 14 years.”

This includes three tours in Bosnia and, now, his second tour in Afghanistan.

He admits they do think about the dangerous position he’s in, especially after his best friend, Corp. Shane Keating was killed in Sept. 2006.

However, the family has an even longer line of service to their country.

“Remembrance Day has always been a special day for me. We had an older son overseas, an uncle who served six years in the military, and both of my grandfathers were in World War I.

“You’ve got to stop and think. The military is still putting their lives on the line as they have been doing since Canada became Canada.”

Corp. Neil MacLean agrees. He wrote, “Remembrance Day has always been a very important day for me. My parents, from a very early age, instilled in me deep respect for those who have been willing to sacrifice all for their country. Remembrance Day has become far more emotional for me since my first tour here as I have lost many friends and have experienced war as only a combat arms soldier can.”

Because of these men and women, his father adds, Canadians have the freedom to criticize the war, which he respects, but doesn’t agree with. He explains the soldiers serving overseas are proud they are helping rebuild a country and an oppressed population, adding, historically, Canada is not just a peacekeeping nation, it’s military nation.