PFC Lynch getting twice as much money

[NcDeuce]

I just now saw a newsflash on the news about how there is a controversy between PFC Lynch and another person involved in that ambush/capture. Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Why would she get twice as much money? Like she doesnt already have movie deals and what-not flying out her ass. :roll:

[11F5S]

I just now saw a newsflash on the news about how there is a controversy between PFC Lynch and another person involved in that ambush/capture. Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.

Wasn't it the "news media" who said that there was a 17 year old SF soldier on a team in A-Stan??

[Deuterium]

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding ...... We have a winnaah

[A$$MAN]

Military disability is set in STONE; that is, a specific amount in claims are doled out for a specific injury with little discrection for adjustments. For example, the DoD has a set claim for a lost ******** or thumb or broken L2, etc etc etc. I guarantee that PFC Lynch has double the claims due double the injury.

[ChuckThunder]

I just now saw a newsflash on the news about how there is a controversy between PFC Lynch and another person involved in that ambush/capture. Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.

Yeah... but they're both getting money for **** ing up. :roll:

[Mace]

What is it with this soldier? She didnt actually do ANYTHING, nevermind anything heroic! There are far more deserving soldiers out there who fight in todays conflicts that simply go back home and get on with their jobs, which is how it should be. Its media bull****.

[11F5S]

What is it with this soldier? She didnt actually do ANYTHING, nevermind anything heroic! There are far more deserving soldiers out there who fight in todays conflicts that simply go back home and get on with their jobs, which is how it should be. Its media bull****.

And, where were you when the **** hit the fan?

[ChuckThunder]

What is it with this soldier? She didnt actually do ANYTHING, nevermind anything heroic! There are far more deserving soldiers out there who fight in todays conflicts that simply go back home and get on with their jobs, which is how it should be. Its media bull****.

And, where were you when the **** hit the fan?

Doesn't matter where he was. You can ask a Marine Reserve Toy's For Tots truck driver what he thinks and he'll most likely tell you that they **** ed up. You don't just drift away from a convoy. Just my two cents.

[11F5S]

Doesn't matter where he was. You can ask a Marine Reserve Toy's For Tots truck driver what he thinks and he'll most likely tell you that they f*** ed up. You don't just drift away from a convoy. Just my two cents.

First off PFC Lynch is a not a he.

Secondly, I have never been in the habit of seeking opinions on military operations from truck drivers (USMC, Army or otherwise).

PFC Jessica Lynch was not in a leadership position in that convoy, so she isn't in anyway responsible for what took place.

Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

"Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to."

True enough but she did come home to a heroes welcome well many soldiers who fight come home and live the quite life. Plus theres been many differing reports of what lead up to the rescue and what happened.
Plus shes had movie offers (one being made without her consent right now i believe) and book deals and whatnot while many actuall heroes stories go untold.

[Vance]

Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to.
She was awarded the freaking Bronze Star, and for what?

[Ratamacue]

I'm pretty sure that the Bronze Star is an award for herosim/valor, no?

[11F5S]

Well ....you are wrong.

[Jack Mehoff]

PFC Lynch got a Bronze Star without the V(Valor). I have no problem with PFC Lynch received her Bronze Star, but if she received a Bronze Star with V then it's **** up because she doesn't deserve a "V".

[Ratamacue]

Well my mistake then. I'm so sorry for being wrong, 11F5S.

[Jack Mehoff]

"Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to."

True enough but she did come home to a heroes welcome well many soldiers who fight come home and live the quite life. Plus theres been many differing reports of what lead up to the rescue and what happened.
Plus shes had movie offers (one being made without her consent right now i believe) and book deals and whatnot while many actuall heroes stories go untold.

Heh!! what do you expect? A blond, semi-attractive country girl from West Virginia who wanted to be a teacher, she went to Iraq for a war and became a POW. I bet that sounds awfully cute for the feminists across America :lol:

[Ratamacue]

https://www-perscom.army.mil/tagd/tioh/awards/BRONZE%20STAR1.html


3. Criteria: a. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

Hm.

[Jack Mehoff]

My dad was a Vietnam vet and they awarded him a Bronze Star just because he volunteered to stay in Vietnam for an additional 6 months. So yeah, Bronze Star without the "V" doesn't mean you have to do something heroic

[11F5S]

"Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to."

True enough but she did come home to a heroes welcome well many soldiers who fight come home and live the quite life. Plus theres been many differing reports of what lead up to the rescue and what happened.
Plus shes had movie offers (one being made without her consent right now i believe) and book deals and whatnot while many actuall heroes stories go untold.

Did Jessica Lynch ask for any awards?

Did Jessica Lynch ask for any of this fanfare?

Did Jessica Lynch write or contribute to any of those reports?

Did she seek those movie offers and book deal or did they come to her door with offers?

Is it Jessica Lynch's fault that those other soldiers' stories go untold?

Is it jealousy I'm detecting here?

[Ratamacue]

Jack - that's not the point. My question is what did she get the medal for? Getting into a car crash? I have no problems with the girl, but I think this was blown so incredibly out of proportion by the military and the media it's completely ridiculous.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

no its pretty much the media's fault.
remeber those two appache pilots..you never hear from them anymore.

[California Joe]

Except when one of the Apache pilots stated that they were shot down because the Apache's weren't used effectively. Which they weren't. Then he apologized for saying it which was bizarre.

[Vance]

11F5S - She probably didn't, but I never said it was HER fault or HER doing that she got the medal. Like Rat said, they blew it way out of porportion.

[ChuckThunder]

First off PFC Lynch is a not a he.

That was in regards to your comment about 11F5S, I believe he is a he.

[Jack Mehoff]

Jack - that's not the point. My question is what did she get the medal for? Getting into a car crash? I have no problems with the girl, but I think this was blown so incredibly out of proportion by the military and the media it's completely ridiculous.

No, the people who you should blame are the media whore. They blew the story out of the water. It's not PFC Lynch that asking for this.

Here's my theory why the media whore so fascinated about this Jessica thing.

female+semi attractive+young+blond+soldier+pow=publicity.

[Jack Mehoff]

When I read the news about PFC Lynch fought "to the death", got shot 5 times, stabbed. Then I saw her smiling when the special forces took her out on the stretcher and I knew right at that moment somebody(media) lying their ass out. Why? You don't smile after you got shot 5 times along with other knife wounds. Yes, this was before the doctors revealed any information about her injuries.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

"female+semi attractive+young+blond+soldier+pow=publicity."
so true
i like mine better
female+semi attractive+young+blond+soldier+pow=****o
kidding

[11F5S]

That was in regards to your comment about 11F5S, I believe he is a he.


Sorry, my mistake :oops: I read it after I clipped the quote from the post.

My comment was about Mace.

[11F5S]

Jack - that's not the point. My question is what did she get the medal for? Getting into a car crash? I have no problems with the girl, but I think this was blown so incredibly out of proportion by the military and the media it's completely ridiculous.

They have a habit of awarding the BSM to POW's....If my memory serves me right they awarded the BSM to those Mech Scouts who surrendered in Serbia without firing a shot.

[GearGod]

Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.
I think she shoudl because shes been through more **** than them

[Jack Mehoff]

Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.
I think she shoudl because shes been through more **** than them

Are you talking about the other POWs in 507th? rofl

[Chris1]

I just now saw a newsflash on the news about how there is a controversy between PFC Lynch and another person involved in that ambush/capture. Lynch is getting twice the money for disability than the other...I don't know anything else about it at this time, could be a big story.

Yeah... but they're both getting money for f*** ing up. :roll:
So, by your logic, if a soldier steps on a mine and has his **** ing legs blown off, he should recieve no money from the state because he **** ed up and didn't see the mine?
As I've said before, good on her.
I hope she milks it for all its worth (although she won't)

[Argyll]

Chris 1 wrote

I hope she milks it for all its worth (although she won't)

really...................so then she didn't sign a book/film deal worth $1m.?
If that's not milking it pal then what is.?
She was treated BETTER than the rest of the 507th POW's,they were held in prisons,she was treated in hospital!!

As for blaming the media about the hype,the Pentagon and CENTCOM,could easily have said right after her rescue that she was not shot,stabbed or whatever,but they said nothing and allowed the media to hype it all up,and it played perfectly into the Militarys hands,they now had an icon to draw focus away from current ops,almost a godsend !!
As for her having total amnesia,and didn't remember a thing,strange that she remembers it all now!!?
She also can go National and tell the world what they really know,but will she?,or will she allow the true story to be manipulated to that of the medias requirements....if this is so,then she is not better for allowing a blatant distortion of the truth to make her out to be like GI Jane!!!

[Sabre]

If she milks the situation, fair enough. She comes from a poor background and has been through some ****.

This situation was seized upon by both the media and the government. Both wanted to have a 'success story' straight out of a war movie, and that's what they got. they both engineered and manipulated the facts to add drama and the result was successful in all but the more cynical of us (ie me).

The 'spin' (UK termanology only?) was a not-too-bad-looking PFC fights in vain when her convoy is ambushed, and as the US 'can't possibly leave a man behind', no doubt some colonel somwhere said 'goddamnit! we gotta get her back men!' and off flew dozens of special forces (with clearly nothing else better to do with a large scale ground war going on) to rescue her (with video cameras?) from the evil iraqi doctors who were going to let her be killed (OK, iraqi army track record in killing POWs...?)

The reality is she was a reserve transport soldier (correct me if I am wrong) who has probably had zero to no training in counter ambush drills and minimal skill at arms, who took a wrong turn with her unit (nav training?) and got in the ****. Some were killed/wounded and others taken prisoner. Up pops a perfect PR oportunity.

As for medals, don't take this personally but the US hands out minor medals like penny sweets.

Your NG pilots got medals for flying over Iraq in the mid 90's, let alone now.

eg; "Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon"

and "Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon"

also "Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon"

in addition "Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon"

plus "Public Health Service Achievement Medal"

All of these can be worn on the uniform.



http://armyawards.com/awards.shtml

[aktarian]

What I find amusing in this whole story is why nobody ask themselves how come that in entire unit that was ambushed few rifles were working (that guy who attacked mortar-IIRC story was mentioned here and even his rifle wasn't capable of automatic fire) and obviouslly the other man who went south and was alter killed. Other than that you have truckload of rifles that weren't operational because they weren't mantained.

I don't want to tell US Army how to run their units but somebody should be held responsible. If logistic units can't shoot why issue them rifles? Isn't that waste of rifles?

Just my €0,02 anyway.

[Chris1]

Chris 1 wrote

I hope she milks it for all its worth (although she won't)

really...................so then she didn't sign a book/film deal worth $1m.?
If that's not milking it pal then what is.?

Come on Argyll, we're dealing with mass media here, she could be selling this far more than she is, is she going round the US talk shows? Is she selling her 'difficult' recovery to the newspapers and documentary makers? A book/film deal required her to sign on the dotted line and go away while other people did the work and gave her a bag of cash.
Its a pity her mates weren't given the same media treatement (and subsequent cash) but thats life.

[Saranof]

This is just getting silly now... :|

[11F5S]

True enough but she did come home to a heroes welcome well many soldiers who fight come home and live the quite life. Plus theres been many differing reports of what lead up to the rescue and what happened.
Plus shes had movie offers (one being made without her consent right now i believe) and book deals and whatnot while many actuall heroes stories go untold.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Former POW Jessica Lynch is working to establish a foundation that will be intended to help children of active-duty soldiers, her lawyer says.
Lynch, 20, is still recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq when her convoy was ambushed on March 23.
Her lawyer, Stephen Goodwin, said Lynch wants to set up the foundation in memory of her best friend, Spc. Lori Piestewa, of Tuba City, Ariz., who was killed in the attack. Piestewa left behind two children, Brandon, 5, and Carla, 3.

"This is because of Lori more than anything," Goodwin said Friday. "Jessi loves little kids and wanted to give something back."

Details of eligibility for aid are still being discussed, a spokesman for Lynch, Aly Goodwin Gregg said Sunday.

The foundation will be partially funded with proceeds from Lynch's upcoming book, Goodwin said. "I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story" is scheduled for released on Veteran's Day.

ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð please exit via the rear door into the alley and take the rest of the bitchers and moaners with you.

[11F5S]

11F5S - She probably didn't, but I never said it was HER fault or HER doing that she got the medal. Like Rat said, they blew it way out of porportion.

And you and the RATboy have combined tolal of exactly zero days of service in the military....what makes your opinion worth a crap...heck ratboy didn't even know what the BSM was awarded for.

[Ratamacue]

First of all, if you're going to call me a derogatory name, find a new one. Rat/Ratass/Ratboy/etc. are nicknames that alot of people call me.

And I wasn't aware that in order to have a worthy opinion, you must have served in the military. I'm not sure I'm the only one that doesn't think you've served, either. Never met someone who has served that's such an egotistical ****.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Well thats great she setup a foundation. You'll also notice how her book pitch also got in there. The fact is she is getting alot more recognition then any other soldier who's been wounded or captured. I've seen story's of soldiers in much ****tier situations...you dont see the guys who got shot down in the apache's having movies made and book deals. (which would probably make alot more of an interesting read )
p.s. never met a PFC with a spokeman before in my life rofl

[NcDeuce]

:cantbeli:

[11F5S]

p.s. never met a PFC with a spokeman before in my life rofl

Every PFC has a spokesperson....They're called PAO's.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

If it was a military spokesman wouldnt they have a rank. In your own paragraph it said "Aly Goodwin Gregg "
I didnt see no military rank.

[11F5S]

You kids really don't even have a clue.....Jessica Lynch isn't in the Army any longer.....She was honorably discharged in August. She is what is known as a civilian...look up civilian in a dictionary if you don't understand that.

[Ratamacue]

Of course we don't have a clue, after all, we've never served in the military, we wouldn't know anything about anything.

[11F5S]

And I wasn't aware that in order to have a worthy opinion, you must have served in the military.

You don't but, at least you should to know what the hell you are talking about before you engage your piehole.


I'm not sure I'm the only one that doesn't think you've served, either. Never met someone who has served that's such an egotistical f***.

Coming from the "thinker" who said "I'm pretty sure that the Bronze Star is an award for herosim/valor" what you think really doesn't mean much.

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

Wow im going to stop posting because 11F5S seems to have wrote the book on the jessica lynch saga...hey what do i know im a dumbass civilian. im officially trained in nothing to know nothing and do nothing, there-for i wouldnt know enough because of my civillian status to effectively comment on anything.

[11F5S]

Wow im going to stop posting because 11F5S seems to have wrote the book on the jessica lynch saga...hey what do i know im a dumbass civilian. im officially trained in nothing to know nothing and do nothing, there-for i wouldnt know enough because of my civillian status to effectively comment on anything.

"written the book" not "wrote the book" .....speaking of books ...you ought to spend some time reading an English grammar book.

[Ratamacue]

Am I the only person who thinks this guy is a complete ****? All you do is come around here to yell at other people and "correct" them because you know better than everyone else. Get a grip, man.

[Haiw]

Am I the only person who thinks this guy is a complete f***? All you do is come around here to yell at other people and "correct" them because you know better than everyone else. Get a grip, man.

no u'r not alone..it's just that the rest of the forum has started ignoring him :hug: maybe u and bastardchild shud too and he might even go away! woot

[Erik]

"Lynch wasn't given any awards for heroism as Mace seems to have alluded to."

True enough but she did come home to a heroes welcome well many soldiers who fight come home and live the quite life. Plus theres been many differing reports of what lead up to the rescue and what happened.
Plus shes had movie offers (one being made without her consent right now i believe) and book deals and whatnot while many actuall heroes stories go untold.

Did Jessica Lynch ask for any awards?

Did Jessica Lynch ask for any of this fanfare?

Did Jessica Lynch write or contribute to any of those reports?

Did she seek those movie offers and book deal or did they come to her door with offers?

Is it Jessica Lynch's fault that those other soldiers' stories go untold?

Is it jealousy I'm detecting here?
Did someone say "let's make a hero, so that folks back home keep supporting this oilwar?"

[WARPIG]

Of all the POW's that came out of that series of rescues.. the LOGPAC ambush and pilots.. I think Lynch is the only one I wanna see in photos. She is easy on the eyes and has that girl next door quality. So her experiences as a POW make a pretty dramatic story. The Army is influenced by the media and politics, whether we like it or not. Heck if I was one of her leaders (that survived) I would push every award I could. What did you expect from her.. GI Jane antics? She is just a little girl. She didn't screw up...and she did what is expected of her. Her handling of the media and the positive image that she portrays so far should be enough for a medal or two. Take a guess at what effect her story made on the morale of the troops in IRAQ.
Only an idiot would criticize or downplay what she went through. How well would you hold up as a prisoner? What about under fire? How about losing some friends in that firefight? Keep talking morons.

[WARPIG]

Oh by the way.. if you have ever been involved with the VA.. they are the ones that handle the disability. Lynch probably gets a bigger disability percentage. It is all based on individual disability. Her wounds could be similar to the next guys but it could have affected her differently. The Doc that assigned the disability rating for her may be a different Doc than the other guy. Maybe the VA is assigning disability for pshychological issues as well. It is all relative. But.. I won't say media coverage of her didn't influence the people that rated her percentage. The VA sees "war heroes" and macho men every day. A little hometown girl with war damage is probably a big emotional shock for them.

[Jack Mehoff]

Of all the POW's that came out of that series of rescues.. the LOGPAC ambush and pilots.. I think Lynch is the only one I wanna see in photos. She is easy on the eyes and has that girl next door quality. So her experiences as a POW make a pretty dramatic story. The Army is influenced by the media and politics, whether we like it or not. Heck if I was one of her leaders (that survived) I would push every award I could. What did you expect from her.. GI Jane antics? She is just a little girl. She didn't screw up...and she did what is expected of her. Her handling of the media and the positive image that she portrays so far should be enough for a medal or two. Take a guess at what effect her story made on the morale of the troops in IRAQ.
Only an idiot would criticize or downplay what she went through. How well would you hold up as a prisoner? What about under fire? How about losing some friends in that firefight? Keep talking morons.


EXACTLY!!! I rather see PFCY Lynch's face ;)

[Royal]

Your NG pilots got medals for flying over Iraq in the mid 90's, let alone now.


So did UK aircrew (and their support elements). GSM with Air Ops Iraq clasp.

[TIEDUSTELIJA]

It is pointless to give her the critic. what could've she done. say no to big movie offers or books? I don't even believe that she had on option to refuse. You can blame the us army about that. And how do we know what se went trough? Maybe she fought like a hero under enemy fire. Same thing about the Mcnab case. fantastic book, a great story. All true? Maybe, maybe not, and he made a fortune with the book. A guy serves his country with a lousy pay for many many years. I think he deserves little extra cash. But the point is then some journalist or some kind of specialist wrotes a book about how Mcnab lied and told false story. How could he know how many bullets they shot, or how many enemies they killed?
Was he there? I don't think so.

[Royal]

But the point is then some journalist or some kind of specialist wrotes a book about how Mcnab lied and told false story. How could he know how many bullets they shot, or how many enemies they killed?

Was he there? I don't think so.

Got a hard-on for 'Andy'?

Mr Asher is not your run of the mill journo (he's ex SF himself) - he just points out that friends 'McNabb' and 'Ryan' did enough embroidering to make a quilt.

[TIEDUSTELIJA]

Not for Andy...but for Larry Thorne(I prefer Lauri Törni). That a different story.

[WARPIG]

Good point. Just like the military being influence by the media.. the bookwriters and such are influenced by us. Think about how interesting some war movies and books would be without hero characters and drama. What about romantic storylines and ****** tension. All that crap could be there or be completely made up. Writers use it to tell the story. Look at all our favorite movies.. Full Metal Jacket... Enemy at the Gates... Blackhawk Down.
Some fiction.. some real stories. If you read some of the history of Enemy at the Gates characters.. it is definately suger coated and fluffed by the Hollywood productions. Same with Blackhawk Down.
We like stories with heros... and Jesicca Lynch's story will have one too. Her book will be sugar coated a little.. and if it goes further.. a movie will fluff it up. Sometimes sugar coating a story for the public is an ok trade off as long as the story is told. (like Blackhawk.)

[TIEDUSTELIJA]

Have you seen Tears of the sun? Good story, but why they had to spoil it with the brunet girl(can't remember the name), and stupid idea to save th hole village!

[WARPIG]

Good flick.. but the point is.. sometimes exaggerating details is the best way to get people who normally aren't interested in your story.. to take a look.
Tears of the Sun... big name actor, Hot chick, cool effects, tuff guy lingo.. tells a story about how soldiers are faced with moral decisions and even in the face of orders.. are obligated to do the right thing.
I guarantee that if a Jessi Lynce movie or spin off comes out.. the actress is gonna be hot...her character is gonna be a brave little sweetheart who faces overwhelming fear to survive... blah blah blah.. you know the rest.
Not to take away from Jessi's ordeal but even as much publicity as her experience gets.. her story will be fluffed up and sparkly for the general public.

[tthiel]

There is a standard amount but a board decides what you will get. They try to give the least amount possible pf course. In the case of Lynch I would not be surprised if she got special treatment based on her "fame". I'm a disabled vet btw.


Military disability is set in STONE; that is, a specific amount in claims are doled out for a specific injury with little discrection for adjustments. For example, the DoD has a set claim for a lost ******** or thumb or broken L2, etc etc etc. I guarantee that PFC Lynch has double the claims due double the injury.

[tthiel]

Like all Presidents the Bush administration is trying put any kind of positive spin it can on anything to do with the Gulf war.


What is it with this soldier? She didnt actually do ANYTHING, nevermind anything heroic! There are far more deserving soldiers out there who fight in todays conflicts that simply go back home and get on with their jobs, which is how it should be. Its media bull****.

[tthiel]

The Captain that ran away should have been court-martialed for that and for not ensuring that his soldiers were ready to fight and/or had clean weapons. But that would have spoiled the fairy tale.




What is it with this soldier? She didnt actually do ANYTHING, nevermind anything heroic! There are far more deserving soldiers out there who fight in todays conflicts that simply go back home and get on with their jobs, which is how it should be. Its media bull****.

And, where were you when the **** hit the fan?

Doesn't matter where he was. You can ask a Marine Reserve Toy's For Tots truck driver what he thinks and he'll most likely tell you that they f*** ed up. You don't just drift away from a convoy. Just my two cents.

[11F5S]

The Captain that ran away should have been court-martialed for that and for not ensuring that his soldiers were ready to fight and/or had clean weapons. But that would have spoiled the fairy tale.

Since I wasn't there, I'll refrain from passing judgement on anyone involved until I have read the AAR for the incident.

[Mortimer]

dunno if this article was posted at all.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/10/1057783288796.html


Truth spoils a good war story
July 11 2003





The heroic tale of Jessica Lynch, the teenage United States Army soldier rescued from Iraqi captivity in a televised commando raid, has been largely debunked by a military investigation.

The 15-page report dismissed lurid media accounts - passed to US reporters by military officials - that Private Lynch fought back fiercely as her supply convoy was ambushed in the central Iraqi town of Nasiriyah on March 23. It had been claimed that she fired until her ammunition ran out before being overpowered, shot and stabbed by her captors.

Instead Private Lynch suffered "horrific injuries" when the Humvee in which she was riding was struck by enemy fire, and crashed into a broken-down lorry at 70kmh.

She survived "principally because of the medical attention she received from the Iraqis", a Pentagon source told The Washington Times.

Early reports also referred to her supply convoy being ambushed by Iraqi forces. But the report describes how a series of blunders by a commanding officer led the lumbering, 13-vehicle convoy directly into Nasiriyah, a well-defended Iraqi town that would not fall to the Americans for another week.

The newly promoted Captain Troy Kent King misread his orders and took a series of wrong turns into the town, past waving Iraqis at military checkpoints.

As the convoy attempted two successive U-turns, army vehicles broke down, ran out of petrol, got stuck, and collided with each other, while Iraqi fire poured in. Many of the Americans' weapons jammed, possibly due to poor maintenance.

Of the 33 soldiers who entered Nasiriyah, 11 were killed and seven captured, and one died in captivity, the report said. It did not touch on allegations of summary executions or mistreatment, which are being investigated separately.

The army report assigns no blame to Captain King, saying he committed a "navigational error caused by the combined effects of the operational pace, acute fatigue, isolation and harsh environmental conditions".

Private Lynch remains in a US military hospital just outside Washington, and reportedly remembers nothing of her ordeal.

Private Lynch's daring rescue by US special forces - filmed by the military and released in time for prime-time television news programs back home - sealed her status as the pre-eminent good news story of the conflict. Several fictionalised TV movies of her story are in the works.

The Telegraph, London