The 14-hour fight to rescue a teammate on an Afghan mountain

Countries & Cities · Published 16 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When a helicopter crash left a teammate stranded and under fire, Britt K. Slabinski didn't just watch from the valley. He volunteered for a grueling reinsertion into one of the most savage battles of the Afghan war, fighting for over half a day to stabilize casualties and secure the peak.

Britt K. Slabinski’s actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar in March 2002 became a defining moment of modern special operations. Hostile militants struck a transport aircraft as it tried to reach the mountain peak during Operation Anaconda. This resulted in Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts being left behind. Slabinski chose to guide a group of five men back up the heights, even though the fight was deemed among the Afghan war's fiercest and most debated clashes.

For 14 hours, Slabinski fought to stabilize casualties and ultimately secure the position. His heroism was initially recognized with the Navy Cross, but his actions were later upgraded to the Medal of Honor on May 24, 2018. The conflict is remembered for its intricacy; furthermore, TSgt John Chapman received the Medal of Honor in 2018 for his brave deeds during this same fight.

Slabinski’s path to this moment spanned a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in 1988 and completed BUD/S training in Coronado, California, graduating in January 1990 as a Navy SEAL. Throughout his professional life, he served on 15 combat tours and nine overseas missions aiding the Global War on Terrorism, notably Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His tenure concluded in June 2014 when he stepped down as Director of the Naval Special Warfare Safety Assurance and Analysis Program.

Beyond his military service, Slabinski holds a National Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic. His legacy is preserved not only through official honors but also through public history; he has an exhibit dedicated to him at the Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Air Force hero who fought for an hour while unconscious
• The man who stepped into the open to call for help
• The first American killed in combat during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan
• The youngest living Medal of Honor recipient saved a life with his body
• How one soldier turned a tactically indefensible outpost into a site of heroic resistance
• How a former Israeli tank carrier launched a maritime empire
• From 17th-century sailors to a modern diaspora: the history of British Indians
• How a semiconductor giant pivoted to software to become a trillion-dollar tech titan
• The hidden cost of the UK's 7,500 organised crime groups
• Is the world's most influential think tank truly independent or just well-funded?
• The British Antarctic Territory is a massive, ice-covered wedge claimed by the United Kingdom.
• The invasive stink bug that can cost farmers millions in a single season

More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics