U.S. Contractor Survives Taliban Attack, Saves Lives
John Turner kept the attackers at bay with an AK-47 until a group of 25 people managed to escape over a back wall to a house next door.
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November 4, 2009
In the early morning hours of October 28, Taliban militants attacked a U.N. guesthouse Kabul and what followed was described by survivors as a frightening two-hour assault that could have been more deadly had it not been for one brave American contractor.
According to media reports, John Turner kept the attackers at bay with an AK-47 until a group of 25 people managed to escape over a back wall to a house next door.
However, in subsequent interviews Turner remained modest, describing two Afghan and three UN guards who were killed in the fight as "the real heroes."
According to MSNBC.com, the Kansas City-native first came to Afghanistan in the 1960s and fell in love with the country and its people. In fact, he is so dedicated to his work that even in the wake of the traumatic assault he is determined to stay in Afghanistan and thrive.
"This is my second home," he told the news provider, adding, "I think I'm doing a valuable service, not only to the Afghan people but to the American military who need our supplies."
Casualty Monitor, a nonprofit organization, estimates that 1,360 private contractors working for the U.S. have died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
Among the many resources that can help assault survivors regain control of their lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.
In the early morning hours of October 28, Taliban militants attacked a U.N. guesthouse Kabul and what followed was described by survivors as a frightening two-hour assault that could have been more deadly had it not been for one brave American contractor.
According to media reports, John Turner kept the attackers at bay with an AK-47 until a group of 25 people managed to escape over a back wall to a house next door.
However, in subsequent interviews Turner remained modest, describing two Afghan and three UN guards who were killed in the fight as "the real heroes."
According to MSNBC.com, the Kansas City-native first came to Afghanistan in the 1960s and fell in love with the country and its people. In fact, he is so dedicated to his work that even in the wake of the traumatic assault he is determined to stay in Afghanistan and thrive.
"This is my second home," he told the news provider, adding, "I think I'm doing a valuable service, not only to the Afghan people but to the American military who need our supplies."
Casualty Monitor, a nonprofit organization, estimates that 1,360 private contractors working for the U.S. have died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
Among the many resources that can help assault survivors regain control of their lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.
