Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlotos
Following a tour in Afghanistan, Army National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos had decided to take a vacation in Europe along with two friends. Those friends were Airman Spencer Stone and college student Anthony Sadler. They didn’t know the train they would take from Amsterdam to Paris would be targeted by potential terrorist, Moroccan-born Ayoub el-Khazanni. Khazanni, who stormed the train, was armed to the teeth and carried 300 rounds of ammunition. Who knows what kind of bloodbath could have ensued? Officials say that Khazanni was already on Europe’s watch list.
51-year-old French-American professor Mark Moogalian was the first to confront the would-be jihadist when he wrested away his AK-47 only to be shot in the neck by Khazzani with a Luger Pistol. The three Americans and a Brit named Chris Norman witnessed what was happening. According to Spencer Stone, “Alek just hit me on the shoulder and said ‘Let’s go.’ We ran down, tackled him. We hit the ground.” El-Khazzani continued to fight them, producing more weapons, including a box cutter that sliced Stone’s thumb. Stone said he choked the attacker into unconsciousness while Skarlatos hit him in the head. Once el-Khazzani was subdued, Stone ran to help the wounded professor, keeping pressure on his wound while ignoring his own.
The professor is still recovering from his wound, but the other four received France’s highest recognition for their bravery, the Legion of Honor. The Air Force says they will nominate Airman First Class Spencer Stone for the Airman’s Medal, the services’ highest award for non-combat bravery. Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared that Alek Skarlatos was the pride of Oregon.
I just can’t say enough about our military boys! When everyone else runs away, they head straight into the fray!