"Military Convoy Drivers"; who delivered tanks, ammo, equipment and supplies to the northern area boarder region near the Saudi Arabia/Kuwait burm during Desert Shield / Desert Storm. You are asked to contact EO-3 George Kernaghan at this e-mail address: gekernaghan@yahoo.com

I am a disabled veteran who needs assistance with additional documentation from those who were there on (or near) the military convoy from Camp #13 at AL Jubail, delivering supplies to Camp Smith on Dec.26,1990.

This convoy left Camp 13, at Al Jubail, shortly before midnight on Dec. 26, 1990.  Traveling north along the coastal road, we were scheduled to travel to Al Meshalb,  turn westerly along the MSR (main supply route) towards the airfield at Kibrit, and turn north to Camp Smith near the burm at Al Khanjar.
  
I was assigned as a substitute driver on a 20-ton semi tractor/trailer- U.S. Navy number 96-32943.  Between 02:00 & 04:00 hrs our convoy came to an abrupt stop receiving small arms fire from “unfriendly”, while en-route to Camp Smith.  Starting from Camp #13 at Al Jubail the convoy turned easterly towards the Persian Gulf coastline. Shortly after we made the turn north (on the coast road) several other vehicles had fallen in behind us, and had now become a large convoy, of at least 20 to 30 vehicles. Some of the others in the convoy turned off onto Tapline Road and headed west, as we continued north to Res Al Meshalb.  The 20 ton semi I was driving was the 3rd vehicle in line behind the lead escort vehicles, and the first of the large trucks still remaining of this convoy. We stayed in a standard convoy spacing (about 3 vehicles apart) until we reached Res al Meshalb and the turnoff onto the MSR.

The MSR was a gray coral bedrock roadbed. At this point each vehicle spaced further apart to allow each driver to see the roadbed ahead of the headlights, and follow the dust cloud of the immediate vehicle ahead of him.  We continued out into the open desert and passed by an abandoned village of Meshalb. A short distance later we passed a road sign marked Kibrit. 

There, we turned north again, towards Camp Smith.  We had traveled only a short distance when we came to another wadi. For a brief time I lost sight of the lead escort vehicles as I continued north. When I came up out of the wadi, I saw the escorts stopped on the road ahead of me and the distinct sounds of small arms fire in close proximity. After I stopped the truck someone came by the right side of my vehicle telling us we were taking fire from the left and to take cover. The first round to hit my truck,  ricochets off of the kick plate above the step, and into the empty driver’s side fuel tank. The next round came through the driver’s door and hit me in the lower back of my flak jacket. The round drove me out of the truck cab onto the desert floor. I landed head first and my helmet dislocated my right shoulder.

A night patrol of Marines were in this area, and quickly returned fire. This action saved the convoy.  As the result of this ‘incident/accident’, I received a spinal injury and an injury to my right shoulder.  An ambulance from the convoy took me to a near by Marine Corps Aid Station for evaluation, medical treatment and sudation.  I was later placed inside the "med-evac hummer ambulance" and transported back to Camp 13 at Al Jubail.

Anyone who heard of, or witnessed, a hostile action against any military convoy traversing the MSR (main supply road) North of Tapline Road between Res Al Meshalb and the turn off for Camp Smith, near Kibrit, your help is URGENTLY needed.

Anyone from the coalition forces who can recall any radio transmissions regarding this convoy, or of; "CONVOYS...Large Columns of Dust" along the "Main Supply Road", are asked to immediately contact:
George E. Kernaghan, EO-3 gekernaghan@yahoo.com 816-358-7765 central time zone.

Any military personnel, or civilian, who may have knowledge of an aggressive act or hostile action by unknown Arab forces or sympathizers between Christmas 1990 and New Years 1991 on any of the coalition military forces during that time frame, are asked to please call or e-mail me.  Your assistance with additional documentation will be greatly valued and appreciated. I am especially searching for Petty Officer 2nd Class Davies &/or Davis, who was my co-driver on this military convoy.
  (click image to enlarge)
Please, contact me.

PO-2 Davies/Davis, USN EO /or CM.
Petty Officer Davies/Davis may have served with one of the following: NMCB’s - 5, 40, 74 or MCB 133.

NMCB-24 Veteran Search Any Seabee who was assigned to Alfa Company, Camp #13, at Al Jubail, &/or Camp Smith,  1990, Also any of the Marines who were on Security Night Patrol along the MSR during December1990.

My Contact Information:
George E. Kernaghan, EO-3
NMCB-24 A co.  90-91
10404 East 40th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64133

Email:  gekernaghan@yahoo.com

Phone:  816-358-7765
Cell Phone:  816-392-2633

My Story & Experiences

  (click image to enlarge)
(note: Pictures of the wholes in my 20 ton truck-door & fuel tank)L Jubail, Saudi Arabia, camp 13, as an EO-3 equipment operator 3rd. class from 11, Dec. 1990 until I was med-evac in Jan. 1991.

Christmas morning was the only ½ day off we had during our deployment. After chow Christmas evening, I reported to the motor pool for convoy duty. I was assigned as a substitute 20-ton semi driver with a 45ft. trailer full of supplies to be taken to the northern areas. The convoy left the yard at camp 13 shortly before midnight and only stopped once about half way for a vehicle check and fuel. We were on an assault roadbed and were able to stay close to each other until we hit the MSR (Main Supply Road) where we made our turn.  The MSR was hard packed gray corral bedrock and the dust was like a gray talcum powder. 

Each vehicle spaced out so each driver could see the roadbed ahead of his lights.  Shortly after we made the turn, one of the lead vehicles suddenly stopped and one of the drivers said to take cover because we were taking fire from the left.  As I tried to exit over the gear shaft, I heard a round ricochet into the driver’s side fuel tank, and the next round came through the driver’s door.

The round hit me in the lower back in the flack jacket and it felt like I’d been hit full force by a sledgehammer. It knocked me out of the truck cab onto my head and helmet, which dislocated my right shoulder. The next thing I knew, a corpsman was on top of me pulling me out of the line of fire. After the shooting stopped, a couple of soldiers in desert cami’s came over to see if we were all right. When I told them I wanted the gun that shot me, they said NO, but they did give me the clip with three rounds in it. They also gave me a pair of Iraqi shoulder boards and a semitar sword, which they found close by the shooter. They informed me that he was dressed in civilian cloths and that he had worn out shoes on.

The next thing I remembered was a young lieutenant, in desert cami’s shouting, “We are not under articles of war at this time!”  I believe we were inside an aid station at that time.  He came over to me and told me to keep my mouth shut about what had happened.  If anyone was to ask, he said I was to say I was changing a tire on the 20-ton truck, by myself, and that was why I was delayed and how I had become injured.  This young lieutenant told this to me as a ‘DIRECT ORDER’ just before they put me in a hummer to take me back to camp 13 at A1 Jubail

By the time we got back to camp 13, it was already daylight. They dropped me off at the aid station near the front gate where I was evaluated, taken off the duty roster and sent to my quarters on bed rest.

Three days later, I was sent to Marine Corps hospital #1 for X-Rays and they kept me until I could be processed (about 3 or 4 days) and transferred to Fleet Five hospital at port Al Jubail.  I stayed there another 4 or 5 days and was transferred to Wiesbaden hospital, Germany and eventually back to the U.S. for hospitalization at Pensacola, Florida.

My company commander was then, Lieutenant David L. Sullivan, and he’s willing to answer any questions, as I am.  Mr. Sullivan is now a Captain in the Navy Civil Engineers Corps.

Click here to download a copy of a letter from Captain
David Sullivan
Click on each image to enlarge in browser.
   

Here is a letter From: Grasham Roy
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 9:33 AM
Gentlemen
I am sending this in support of EO-3 Kernaghan.  He was in NMCB 24 with me, while severing in Saudi Arabia. We had base camp at Al Jubail and advance camp at Camp Smith.
 I am Senior Chief Roy E Grasham, and I was serving as Maintenance Chief for NMCB 24 at Base Camp #13 and advance Camp Smith.
 
EO-3 Kernaghan was assigned to the Maintenance dept.  Kernaghan was also assigned to convoys.  He would move equipment and supplies, food ammo, to and from Camp Smith.  While on a convoy, his truck was hit by hostile fire and he was taken to a near by Marine Corp camp and treated.  They stabilized him, sedated him and he was taken back to Base Camp #13 at Al Jubail for treatment.  He was placed on bed rest for a period of time at base camp. 

EO-3 George Kernaghan has served the United States and the Navy with Honor and Pride it would be unethical to refuse this Combat Soldiers the help that he deserve.

ROY E GRASHAM # 957
EVENT UNIT S.E.C.

If you have any pertinent information, please contact me directly.