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Ben Wormington

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The fighting subsided as Ben Wormingtom neared Baghdad. The high rise buildings were a new factor, perfect for snipers. At first, the Iraqis were welcoming and threw treats to them. It was his unit that was there when the giant statue of Saddam was toppled, an image shown around the world. (7:17)

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They knew they were going back to Iraq. The Marines were training intensively in the interim and Ben Wormington had a new boot named Chance who was talented but unfocused. He singled him out for attention to make sure he got it together. (3:17)

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Ben Wormington was surprised when he got to Camp Ramadi to start his second tour in Iraq. There were showers, a gym and a convenience store. What is going on? The first mission was miserable but at least there were no firefights. His unit lucked out after that when they became the security detachment for Gen. John Kelly. (4:58)

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There was a young Marine named Chance Phelps who was usually Ben Wormington's gunner on patrols. He had the day off but volunteered to ride with another team that was short-handed. He never made it back. His story became the basis for a film called Taking Chance. (4:39)

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Coming home was hard. The war in Iraq had grown more unpopular. Ben Wormington's next assignment was one he wanted but he had a 30 day leave and it was then that he fell apart inside. (8:08)

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After deciding to reenlist, Ben Wormington was excited to be attached to a Recon Marine outfit as the chief fire support man. They sent him to Airborne school and then Tactical Air Control school. (4:32)

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It was great! Ben Wormington was deployed with the elite Recon Marines but when they got to Iraq, it wasn't so great. After a period on the border interdicting smugglers, there was a new Status of Forces agreement that said they could only go outside the wire if they were accompanied by an Iraqi Army unit. No way we're doing that. (4:20)

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In Iraq, Ben Wormington befriended an Iraqi interpreter who was a big help to his unit. Years later, he heard from the man on Facebook and began a decade long struggle to bring him and his family to America. (2:36)

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It was a good reunion. When Ben Wormington and his outfit got together recently, they did so in the hometown of their fallen brother in arms, Chance Phelps. (2:03)