by Charles Simmins

Created on: October 10, 2008   Last Updated: May 26, 2010

What is a real hero? America seems to have forgotten.

Joe Gibson is an Army Ranger. That will not mean much to those who are not a part of the Army family so here is an explanation. Spc. Joe Gibson volunteered when he joined the United States Army. He then volunteered to become a Ranger. The Ranger school turns out some of the toughest warriors in the world, paratroopers and special operations soldiers. On D-Day in 1944, when there were seaside cliffs to climb to take out German artillery, the Rangers were sent.

That is the sort of outfit Joe Gibson joined. And, he has made them proud.

On April 26, 2008, Gibson was part of a secret raid on terrorist positions in Iraq. it was a pitch black night, perfect for the Rangers. but their landing was noticed and they took fire almost immediately. The terrain consisted of high grass concealing drainage ditches, difficult in daylight.

Two Rangers were shot almost immediately. Gibson moved to the aid of one, a friend. Calling upon the inner strength he had discovered in Ranger training, Gibson was able to move his comrade to the extrication point.

The night was not over. Gibson returned to the unit as they moved through the tall grass, ditches and canals.

Without warning, Gibson discovered he was standing on a terrorist. Concealed in a ditch, Gibson walked right across the enemy.pausing at the unfamiliar sensation underfoot, he turned and saw a rifle being raised to shoot him.

Gibson grabbed the barrel of the weapon and leapt on the terrorist. A life and death fight began in the drainage ditch.

As the two wrestled and scrapped, the enemy tore off Gibson's night vision goggles. Nearly blind in the dark, he grappled with his foe. The enemy kept trying to reach into his clothing, for something.

It was a detonator for a bomb. The terrorist was wearing a suicide vest. He began screaming "Bomb!"

Gibson was caught his attacker. He was held fast and losing the ability to fight. Somehow, he reached into himself and found the will, the strength, to make one last effort. He began punching the terrorist will all the strength he had left.

The terrorist was stunned, and that allowed Gibson to reach his rifle. He fired, and killed the terrorist.

Spc. Joe Gibson received his nations third highest award for valor in combat, the Silver Star. He just says he did what he was supposed to do. The Ranger whose life he saved might disagree.

Have you read about Joe Gibson? Probably not. CNN just listed its 10 Top Heroes for 2008 and there was not one soldier, police officer or firefighter on the list. There was a woman who jogs with the homeless.

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