The U.S. Army honored the sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Gary I. Gordon, who lost his life nearly 32 years ago during the tragic events in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, known as “Black Hawk Down.” With the base—which was recently renamed Fort Eisenhower—returning to its original name, Fort Gordon, the Army aims to keep alive Gordon’s heroism and the spirit of military brotherhood. This name change ensures that the base—originally named after Confederate General John B. Gordon—is now dedicated to a hero who embodies modern U.S. military values, free from racially charged connotations.
The Somalia Operation and the Ranger Creed
The U.S. intervention in Somalia in 1992 was intended to deliver aid to a population suffering from famine caused by the civil war. However, on October 3, 1993, when U.S. forces raided an area occupied by supporters of warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, they were quickly ambushed. The situation became critical when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down.
Upon hearing news of one of the downed helicopters, Delta Force sniper Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon and his colleague, First Class Sergeant Randy Shughart, repeatedly pressed to be deployed to the crash site. According to retired Colonel Ron Russell’s account at the ceremony, even the pilots had noted the heavy presence of Somali fighters and stated that going there was not a wise move. However, Gordon and Shughart acted in accordance with the Ranger Creed, which states, “I will never leave my comrades behind.”
Last Ammo and “Good Luck”
Braving intense enemy fire to cover a distance of 100 meters and reach the helicopter wreckage, the two heroes discovered that pilot Staff Sergeant Michael Durant was wounded but alive. They extracted Durant from the wreckage—where three soldiers had been killed—but were immediately surrounded by Somali fighters.
Gordon and Shughart fought until their ammunition was severely depleted. After Shughart was mortally wounded and Gordon’s ammunition dropped to a critical level, Gordon returned to the helicopter one last time. In a twist of fate, he handed Durant his last rifle and remaining ammunition, saying , “Good luck,” before diving into the sea—where a swarm of enemies was closing in—armed with only a pistol. Shortly afterward, he was killed while fighting heroically.
In a recorded message for the ceremony, Durant expressed his gratitude, saying, “If it weren’t for his and Randy’s actions, I wouldn’t be here.” Gordon and Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their unparalleled acts of sacrifice.
Legacy of Brotherhood and Renaming
At the ceremony, which was also attended by Sergeant First Class Gordon’s widow, Carmen Drake-Owens, and his son Ian, his widow spoke of the bonds of brotherhood among soldiers fighting in Somalia: “When I think of one, I can’t help but think of the other.” Drake-Owens noted that having her late husband’s name given to a base was an honor, but she said he would have wanted her to know that this honor was not just for her, but for every soldier on duty that day.
This renaming represents a symbolic step that honors not only the U.S. Army’s military excellence but also its core values—such as dedication, initiative, and unwavering loyalty to teammates—as embodied by Gordon’s ultimate sacrifice. Fort Gordon now bears the name of a modern American hero who sacrificed his life to save that of a Black Hawk pilot.
