"He was even more defiant than Johnny Depp had been!"


From Doug Stanton's Horse Soldiers, pages 266 - 67.

This brief excerpt deals with the experiences of a combat medic, Jerry Booker, as he's treating some captured wounded enemy fighters in the early days of America's ongoing war in Afghanistan in late 2001.

"Medic Jerry Booker went to work cleaning the prisoners' wounds.

"The first one reminded Booker of the movie actor Johnny Depp.

"Little by little the kid's face relaxed as his breathing grew easier.

"Booker turned to the other prisoner.

"Blood was running down his face.

"He was even more defiant than Johnny Depp had been!

"He shouted that he had also come to Afghanistan to kill Americans.

"Booker, ignoring the outburst, debrided the scalp wound and carefully sewed it up.

"Afterward, he stepped back and looked the guy square in the eye.

"[H]e said, By the way, dude, I'm an American.

" A few days later, while touring a hospital, Booker spotted Johnny Depp, shaved and handcuffed to his bed.

"Booker was thankful he was healthy and alive..."