War Hero Shares Lessons From Famous Battle

Retired Army First Sergeant Matthew P. Eversmann, whose actions were immortalized in the epic 2001 film “Black Hawk Down,” gave a presentation to the Westminster community on Jan. 7 about his Army experiences. His presentation was made possible through the generosity of John Timken ’99, who is Eversmann’s friend and thought Westminster would benefit from having him visit the campus and share his message.
 

Eversmann was a member of a team of elite soldiers sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993 as part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation and a mission to capture a warlord and his clan. Eversmann was placed in command of Ranger Chalk Four, his first command. During the operation, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down and three others were damaged. Young Rangers and veteran Delta Force soldiers were outnumbered and surrounded for 18 hours in the most hostile district of Mogadishu until a rescue convoy could be mounted to retrieve them.
 

Eversmann began his presentation by showing excerpts from the film and encouraging the audience to think about members of the armed forces at war today and what they do selflessly. “Veterans have given us this great freedom,” he said. “I’m only here because of our veterans.”

He also talked about “strategic shock, when unexpected bad things happen that are not your fault” and how to get through those situations. “You get through by investing in your people,” he said.
 

He recounted the events leading up to and during the Battle of Mogadishu. “The definition of selfless service is putting the needs of others first,” he said. “To be a champion, you need selfless service. This was a tremendous revelation. Going to war was doing for others what they couldn’t do for them selves.”
 

In summarizing, he added, “What is great about this story as future leaders is that you have a great visual about how to get through strategic shock. You see courage and people putting others’ needs before theirs. Do the right thing when no one is looking. I ask you to think about how you are going to get through your own strategic shock.”
 

Following his presentation, Eversmann answered questions from the audience and met with members of Shawn Desjardins’ AP Psychology class, which was studying motivation. The students asked Eversmann about things he wish he could have changed about the day of the Mogadishu battle, how people learn selflessness and how he learned to manage fear. “When you do dangerous things, you trust your men and you trust your equipment,” he responded. “You need to trust that the other guy will do the right thing.”
 

Eversmann first enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in 1987. In 1992, he reenlisted and was assigned to the Third Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He then spent eight-and-a-half years in the Ranger Regiment, serving as squad leader, weapons squad leader, battalion air operations sergeant, battalion liaison sergeant and platoon sergeant. He also was the officer in charge of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Pre-Ranger Course that helped train future leaders to pass the grueling Army Ranger School.
 

While serving as a sergeant in the Ranger Regiment, Matt traveled the world on military assignments to meet with and train soldiers. For his distinguished service in Somalia, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, honors he holds in addition to numerous other awards and decorations.
 

In August 2000, Matt was awarded an honorary bachelor’s degree from his alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College, in recognition of his outstanding and meritorious service to his country. After serving 15 months as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he retired with honor from the Army as an Infantry Company First Sergeant, following 20 years of active service.
 

Today he continues to serve others in his civilian capacity as the founder and president of Freeman Phillips LLC, a personnel development company that aims to inject values-based leadership ideals into every facet of American enterprise.