Chief Warrant Officer 3
Donavan L. Briley
1959 - 3
October 1993
October 3rd and 4th, 1993
in Mogadishu, Somalia
18 soldiers lost their lives in the largest firefight since
the Vietnam War, and a 19th soldier the next morning after the main
battle, was also shot and killed.
On August 22, 1993 a Joint Special Operations Task Force was
deployed to Somalia to support the U.S. efforts there. This
Joint Special Operations Task Force was named Task Force (TF)
Ranger.
TF Ranger was a selection of special
operations ground forces and helicopters, Air Force special tactics
personnel, and Seals. There are excellent sources that will
tell you in depth the story of this fateful time in history, both
on the web and in the book Blackhawk Down, and the movie
Black Hawk Down.
If you are not familiar with the details of this battle please take
the time to learn. In doing so you will learn the true
meaning of never leaving a fallen soldier behind on the
battle field. You will see the dedication to which these men were
willing to go to carry out that commitment to one
another. And you will begin to see that the Ranger
Creed, Nightstalkers, and other special operation units creeds, is
a more than just a motto to be learned, it is their way of
life and who they are.
CW3 Donavan “Bull”
Briley grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
CW3 Donovan L.
Briley or "Bull" as he was affectionately known as, was an
excellent pilot, a fine officer, a natural leader, and a true
friend. His stocky frame and quiet concentration served as his
trademarks, as he set the standards of the "Quiet Professional".
CW3 Briley enjoyed flying, but he enjoyed serving his country even
more. His courage and dedication were evident in his personality
even before he joined the military. He
graduated from flight school in 1985 and joined the Army
Reserve.
During his tenure with the DEA, he
conducted operations equally as tasking as the ones he would face
with the 160th. His relatives knew him as tough and gutsy, yet his
fellow agents knew him for his courage and cool demeanor in the
face of danger. During an aircraft crash in 1985, he saved the
lives of two passengers who were in the aircraft with him. Donovan
Briley suffered serious back injury during the crash, yet his was
primarily concerned with the other occupants. This is what made
"Bull" the man he was. When he joined the U.S. Army, he served in
South Korea before his talents were recognized and he was selected
for the challenging duty with the 160th Special Operations Aviation
Group. CW3 Briley again displayed his courage and unwavering focus
during the U.S. Army action in Panama in 1989. His steady demeanor
in the whirl of combat could be relied upon regardless of the
intensity of the moment. CW3 Briley distinguished himself during
the operation, and those around him saw Bull as the courageous and
gifted pilot he had become.
His selfless dedication to the pursuit of freedom
led him to that fateful night in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October
1993. The need for aviation support of the ground forces tasked
with the United Nations peacekeeping mission was what put Bull in
harms way, but this is what he lived for.
Donovan was heroic in battle. He died doing
everything he could do to preserve the lives of his fellow Night
Stalkers and those that the Night Stalkers support. His total
selflessness and commitment to accomplishing the mission was
unwavering. His loss will forever impact the Regiment and Donovan
will be immortalized in the Night Stalker history.
He received the Distinguished
Flying Cross for gallantry in action during combat operations in
Mogadishu, Somalia on 3 October, 1993 in operation Gothic
Serpent. His actions as the pilot of an assault into a highly
contested urban objective were heroic. After a brilliant
assault of the objective, he held his position and fought to
support the ground forces during their actions. His aircraft,
#324, was subsequently downed by enemy fire and, through his
exceptional skill, the passengers’ lives were
saved.
During his career, some of
his awards include two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Air
Medals with “V” devices, two Air Medals.
He was married to Sharri Briley and had one
daughter, Jordan.
We must
never forget his courage, his dedication, or his name...CW3 Donovan
L. Briley.... Also see:
http://www.specialops.org/resource/resmgr/success_stories/donovan_briley_family.pdf
Donovan and his family were friends
with my wife and her family. I never met Donovan but his
grandmother and parents went to the same church as my wife, back
when we were dating. Over the years we lost touch with the
family and it wasn't until the movie came out that we realized it
was Donovan that was killed.
The cache you are looking for is
found on Donovan Briley Blvd which is the road leading into Camp
Robinson. You are looking for a camo'ed matchstick holder
hidden in a common way!
Seek me and you will find
me when you search for me with all your heart!
Happy Caching.