THE CRIPPLED EAGLES

Extracted from THE OUTNUMBERED WEB SITE

The Crippled Eagles

You will not find this in any American history book. The fact that 300 Americans, some with previous combat experience in Vietnam, others with none, volunteered to fight in the Rhodesian Armed Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. They did so not as mercenaries but as ordinary soldiers for a pay packet in local currency. They believed their efforts would help stem the flow of Communism in Africa. They acquitted themselves with great courage and to great effect in an environment that was wholly alien.

These young men believed so much in what they were doing that they jeopardized losing their US citizenship and any future of a life in America. Abandoned by their own government, these brave men became known as The Crippled Eagles.

Seven such Crippled Eagles paid the ultimate price and were killed in action. As one senior commanding Officer in the renowned Rhodesian African Rifles commented: these seven men are clearly unsung heroes; outstanding soldiers who perished in close quarter fighting in the African Bush far, far, away from their homeland the United States of America. They came to help us, the forgotten people of Rhodesia.
They include:


Corporal John Alan Coey
Trooper George W. Clarke
Sergeant Richard L. Biederman
Trooper Frank P. Battaglia
Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne
Trooper Stephen M. Dwyer
Sergeant Hugh P. McCall


Many others were wounded in combat, some maimed for life.

The above Crippled Eagle Badge was designed by the best - selling author of The Green Berets and the French Connection, Robin Moore. The crippled eagle emblem symbolizes the United States Government's disapproval of its nationals in fighting in the Rhodesia Armed Forces. The rifle represents their contribution to the war effort and the quill the authors efforts to promote a fair hearing for the Rhodesian point of view.