In Memoriam - Michael Bhatia
Michael was in the lead vehicle with four other soldiers. Initial forensics indicate that the IED was triggered by a command detonated wire. Michael died immediately in the explosion. Two Army soldiers from Task Force Currahee were also killed in the attack, and two were critically injured. During the course of his seven-month tour, Michael’s work saved the lives of both US soldiers and Afghan civilians. His former brigade commander, COL Marty Schweitzer testified before Congress on 24 April that the Human Terrain Team of which Michael was a member helped the brigade reduce its lethal operations by 60 to 70%, increase the number of districts supporting the Afghan government from 15 to 83, and reduce Afghan civilian deaths from over 70 during the previous brigade's tour to 11 during the 4-82’s tour. A copy of Colonel Schweitzer’s comments can be found at: http://hts.army.mil/news/col_schweitzer_statement.pdf We will remember Michael for his personal courage, his willingness to endure danger and hardship, his incisive intelligence, his playful sense of humor, his confidence, his devoted character, and his powerful inner light. While his life has ended, he has not disappeared without a trace. He left a powerful effect behind, which will be felt by his friends and colleagues and by the people of Afghanistan for many years to come. News on Michael Bhatia Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense Of Freedom News/152- BAE Systems Statement Bhatia.pdf Print Media Kantor, Ira. Medway Scholar Killed in Afghanistan Combat. Boston Herald, May 10, 2008. Available online at: http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1093007 Vaznis, James. Afghan Bomb Kills Scholar from Mass. Boston Globe, May 10, 2008. Available online at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/10/afghan_bomb_kills_scholar_from_mass/ Malinowski, W. Zachary. Brown Grad Killed in Afghanistan. Providence Journal, May 10, 2008. Available online at: http://www.projo.com/news/content/AFGHANISTAN__CASUALTY_05-10-08_BRA39MP_v24.3730b4c.html Hilliard, John. Medway. Native Killed in Afghanistan. Daily News Tribune, May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://www.dailynewstribune.com/archive/x194393468/Medway-native-killed-in-Afghanistan Radio Blogs Forward Movement Blog. “Meet Michael Bhatia”. May 11, 2008. Available online at: http://www.julescrittenden.com/2008/05/11/meet-michael-bhatia/ Coming Back to Kabul Blog. “In Memory of Michael Bhatia”. May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://kabulkabul.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-memory-of-michael-bhatia.html Small Wars Journal Blog. “Human Terrain Team Member Killed in Afghanistan”. May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2008/05/human-terrain-team-member-kill-1/ Historicus Blog. “Human Terrain Team Member Killed”. May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://historicus.us/2008/05/09/human-terrain-team-member-killed.aspx Forward Movement Blog, “Fallen American”. Jules Crittenden, May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://www.julescrittenden.com/2008/05/09/fallen-american/ Danger Room Blog. “'Human Terrain' Social Scientist Killed in Afghanistan”. Sharon Weinberger, May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/05/human-terrain-s.html Kings of War Blog. “Social Scientist Killed in Afghanistan.” Available online at: http://kingsofwar.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/social-sciences-in-war-the-cost-of-being-there- The QWU Blog. “Michael Bhatia”. May 9, 2008. Available on line at: http://sethresler.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/michael-bhatia/ Ghosts of Alexander Blog. “Michael Bhatia Killed in Khost”. May 9, 2008. Available online at: http://easterncampaign.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/michael-bhatia-killed-in-khost/ Other Tributes “In Memory of Michael Vinay Bhatia '99”. The Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown University, May 20, 2008. “The Cost of Being There”. Complex Terrain Laboratory, University College London School of Public Policy. |
