United States Army

“ On the evening of 26 February 1991 TF 4-32 Armor's Scout Platoon encountered an Iraqi T-72 tank with mounted and dismounted infantry. The scout platoon was conducting a screen of the task force's left front and flank, with the task force in a hasty defence, During the action, an M3 cavalry fighting vehicle was hit by 25mm fire and the T-72 was destroyed by a TOW missile. ”

“ C. TERRAIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS—PRECIPITATION, DUST, SMOKE, LIGHT CONDITIONS, DATE, TIME, ETC: The terrain was generally flat desert with numerous wadis and some hills. The action took place in a rocky, hilly area at approximately 1910 during the hours of darkness. Smoke end dust were in the air, but did not obscure optics. Moonlight was 95%, but the sky was overcast with some ambient light.
D. DYNAMICS OF INTERACTION: A T-72 tank with infantry riding on top appeared suddenly from behind a small rise at a range of approximately 300 meters and drove directly toward two Scout M3's. ”

“ J. CASUALTY DATA—WOUNDED, KILLED: Vehicle commander, killed while sitting in his turret seat. Gunner: wounded by —secondary explosions and spall while sitting in his turret seat. Observer: died of wounds received while sitting in left front seat. Loader: wounded while attempting to open the top hatch in order to reload TOW.
K. VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IN TERMS OF VULNERABILITY REDUCTION FEATURES WORKING AS DESIGNED (FIRE SUPPRESSION, BLAST PANELS, AMMO COMPARTMENT DOORS, SPALL LINERS, ETC) : No comment. ”