May 16, 2013
Thursday PM

After reading Mr. Hanger's initial letter on guns and the rebuttals that followed, I could not resist. I would like to address some statements that Mr. Hanger made and ask him some questions. I am not going to write about who I am or what great deeds I may have or not have done. Those who know me here in Ketchikan truly know my history.

So Mr. Hanger let's begin. You made this statement, I am a qualified expert with every one of these weapons; that was my military occupational specialty, Mr. Hanger, I would like to know exactly what MOS you held in the military. I would also ask what type of weapons you are referring to. In your letter you name a few but I find it hard to believe that you were or are an expert with all the weapons you mentioned in your diatribe. See, in my 22 years of military service I have yet to come across any MOS that was identified as weapons expert. However there is 18B Weapons Sergeant. So before you look it up on the internet this MOS belongs to US Army Special Forces. Would you happen to be a Tabbed out Green Beret that held the MOS of 18B? Though I do believe you may make a statement of how way back when you were in that there was such an MOS. Mr. Hanger in keeping with stating just the facts and not opinions of ones expertise can you produce your DD 214? I live in Ketchikan and would love to see proof of your Military Occupational Specialty. This would surely quiet down all the rhetoric of you being a so called liar, idiot, nimrod to mention a few. IF you can not prove this I would tend to agree with LCDR James Thompson USN that you are a potential liar.

Another couple quotes you make are, (1) The M16 is queer in two respects: It is accurate only out to about 200 meters; the small bullet tends to tumble; and the muzzle velocity of the bullet is so high that when it hits something it tumbles and disintegrates in a completely indiscriminate and unpredictable manner. It can hit you in the shoulder and come out behind your other knee. (2) I gather some crazies carried as many as 750 rounds of 5.56. As for the M16 quote, maybe back in your day this could have been true. I do not know nor was I there. But from my experience I have trained soldiers with the M16A1, M16A2, M-4 who can make consistent hits at 300 meters. As a matter of fact the 300 meter target is part of the weapons qualification for soldiers in the US Army. These soldiers shoot targets from 50 meters to 300 meters. I have seen many qualify as an expert with all weapons systems I have mentioned. And let me be clear. This is done with no fancy optics on the weapon. Just the shooter and the factory ghost ring sights. Your second quote about crazies carried as many as 750 rounds of 5.56. You made this reference to Vietnam. My question to you Mr. Hanger is have you ever been in a combat environment as an Infantry Man? If you have I am sure on your DD 214 you can show us all that you have earned a CIB. Once again so you do not ha ve to search the internet, it is the Combat Infantryman Badge. The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to Infantry or Special Forces soldiers enlisted men and officers (commissioned and warrant) holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941. I have been in active ground combat and found times that my team could not be resupplied easily. Having MORE! than 750 rounds was a comforting feeling when you are operating away from friendly supply units.

The most of your writing is your opinion. I am glad that we have that freedom. I thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice before me, while I am living and those who will continue this sacrifice after I am gone from this earth. As I have read your letters it is hard for me to actually believe that you have experience of what you write. So I ask that maybe we can meet so I may personally hear and see all the proof you have to offer and convince me that you are truthful in what you speak. I am curious to find out how you were invited to shoot at West Point. Were you a cadet? Were you an instructor? In what capacity did you serve in the Military to gain such an esteem assignment? Also I am curious to know how long you served Sir. In turn I can produce my DD 214 for you.

Mr. Hanger. If you are not willing to bring this information forward either in person or by writing another lengthy letter I will have to agree with LCDR James Thompson USN and the other individuals that think you may be an idiot, nimrod and potential liar. By the way, thank you for your continued service LCDR Thompson. If you ever find yourself in Ketchikan please look me up. My door is always open to a military comrade.

So here we are. Just the Facts!

Edwin Irizarry
US Army (Retired)
Ketchikan, Alaska

Representations of fact and opinions in letters are solely those of the author.
The opinions of the author do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.