I saved 17 US soldiers in my convoy from Al-Qaeda suicide bomb blast – and now I’m helping raise funds for Ukraine
A US soldier leaned over the protective shield of the Humvee with his M4 rifle, met eye contact with a suicide bomber and opened fire.
Purple Heart recipient Pasha Palanker said the suicide bomber "pushed into us" then momentarily fell back under a barrage of warning shots before bumping up against the 17-man convoy
"At the closest point, he was about two feet from me, and we were side by side," Palanker told The Sun in an exclusive interview.
"He was close to me that I couldn't use the (Humvee) machine gun, so I picked up my M4 rifle and leaned over the protective plate, and engaged that way.
"I still don't know why he didn't detonate at that point. We would've been done. But whatever I did gave us enough time to pass him. Then the car exploded seconds later."
A video taken by the terrorist group showed how the convoy's narrow escape with thanks to Palanker's bravery.
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The whole ordeal lasted about 30 seconds, Palanker said, but it felt like his actions went into slow motion.
"My brain was like this is a horrible idea. But I felt this anger unlike anything I've ever felt before," the war hero said.
"That anger is what drove me and fueled my action. It might've saved my life and the lives of my teammates, but it changed my life forever."
'I STEPPED ON AN IED BUILT FOR A TANK'
The close-call run-in with the suicide bomber happened back in 2005.
A few months later, Palanker stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) that was packed with enough firepower to destroy a tank.
It had about 100 pounds of explosive power and was packed with 500 pounds of shrapnel.
And by sheer luck, he survived, he said.
"The explosion left a hole in the ground that was 15 feet long, 12 feet wide and six feet deep," Palanker added.
He said he wished he recognized the warning signs when he was a 24-year-old man after he returned from Iraq, but the VSRG saved his life.
"The spiral used to be permanent. I was always down. Then the spirals lasted a couple of years, then a couple of months, then a couple of weeks," said Palanker, who's been working hard on his mental health since 2016.
"Now it's a couple of days or even a couple hours," he said. "I can recognize the triggers early and for the most part, pull myself out after a couple of hours.
"And I've been open with my boys. I told them what I'm feeling and what I'm going through, and that's helped."
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"I just hope my story reaches other people who are struggling and convinces them to get help. There are so many nonprofits out there who want to help," he added.
"Reach out for help. That's my message. Don't be afraid to reach out."
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