Fort Gibson soldier recounts close call in Iraq

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Fort Gibson soldier who works on a team that detonates roadside bombs in Iraq had a close call when his Humvee was damaged by one of the deadly devices.<br/><br/>Army National

Monday, December 27th 2004, 1:01 pm

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Fort Gibson soldier who works on a team that detonates roadside bombs in Iraq had a close call when his Humvee was damaged by one of the deadly devices.

Army National Guard Specialist Joey Ray Stillwell serves with the 239th Engineering Company. His job is to watch from a gun turret for enemy ambushes while engineers send a robotic device to detonate the explosive.

On December 9th, his company was traveling to dismantle a possible explosive device when one detonated near the vehicle.

He fired a few rounds from his shotgun and eventually removed a gun that was mounted on the vehicle, jumping on its front to defend against further attacks.

Stillwell said his legs were cut, but he requested to remain with his unit.