Great work and very well deserved. Both he and the driver went above and beyond the call of duty.
Tom, you hit it right on the head about the command element being wiped out right off the bat. Unlucky, fortunately the servicemen and women today are trained so well that the next in line assumes command and continues on to complete the objective. That, in my opinion, reflects how professional our soldiers are today.
We were trained like that back in '66.
And it is a tremendous advantage.
Part of the training was examples given of armed forces where the field level leaders where taken out and the unit ceased to function.
Drilled and drilled it into us that if the bosses are hit, don't worry to much about who is next in command.... You know what, step up and to do.
Not only was it good tactics, it was wonderful for moral....thinking you are being given the skill, knowledge and responsibility to run the show.