3 Americans praised for subduing train gunman in France

Well done American Servicemen.

A British passenger told reporters in Arras that he also helped subdue the suspect.

Just shows the US bias of this bloody site. Briton Chris Norman was awarded a medal by French authorities for his part in stopping the potential massacre. At least name him for God's sake.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chris-norman-live-france-train-attack-said-10467831.html

Europe will never get Americans to shut up about this.

You still think it is? I'm no conspiracy theorist, but if ya haven't noticed, the US is very leaky.

So I'm gonna take a guess that you think Oswald killed Kennedy.

Without US it would be no religious fanatics with firearms in Europe...

You cannot possibly believe that.

After 9/11, when Americans realize terrorists are willing to kill themselves

So, you still think this wasn't an inside job eh?

You still think it is? I'm no conspiracy theorist, but if ya haven't noticed, the US is very leaky. For example, something this big would've been all over the Snowden files; yet even with all those conspiracy theorists looking all over Snowden files, we haven't heard a peep from them about it.

Without US it would be no religious fanatics with firearms in Europe...

Doubtful; not everything revolves around the US for radical Islamists. The Islamist calls for jihad are universal - it doesn't matter who it is against their way. Europeans would be naive if they think it's all about the US - Europe just happens to have the unfortunate position to be quite close and easy access to the Middle East; it's inevitable they're getting these fanatics sooner or later.

Crazed gunman brought down by super tough, brave unarmed men.

I wonder what the gun lobby would make of that?

Really proud of these guys!

It’s unclear whether there was a political motive to the gunman’s actions. French authorities are questioning the attacker, identified by police as a 26-year-old of Moroccan origin

25psot Allah Akbar gone fishing, AK-47 jammed, US Marines on same train

Without US it would be no religious fanatics with firearms in Europe...

train traveled through Belgium,

Such a normal train in West Europe with US Marines and jihad warrior...theater of absurd..

The life really goes crazy....

Both sides - go home !!!

Nice to see young American men acting heroically. Bringing down a gunman without having weapons is remarkable and better than many of our police could do in this country.

Kudos to those brave men for saving so many lives on that train.

I'd be unsurprised to find out you're not a qualified scientist....

Of course I ain't. The statement was meant to imply that japanese "used to have balls", not anymore. For seventy yrs. they just get weaker & weaker. Offspring after offspring. . . . . no more confrontation- wheather it be 1 on 1, or vs possible hostilities in & around japan.

They pay billions to DC to let the "big doggs" handle their business. The two americans we all just read read about in this article sums up- how badass we are.

Allah Akbar gone fishing, AK-47 jammed, US Marines on same train all make bad day for this terrorist and good luck for people on this train.

Bravo! Thank you.

So the story has changed FROM "marines" TO "national guard" and "in the air force." They were young and fit - which probably mattered most. Heck - sounds like they probably played football together and those skills were more important than anything else. Football teaches how to "hit" - tackle - someone.

We've all been on trains like this - not sure I would have noticed anything, but I tend to sit and read on those trips.

In the next few days, we'll learn their training, jobs and postings. The national guard guy probably had the most combat training, unless the AF guy was in military police. Sure they all take "basic" but if you are loading aircraft correctly to avoid crashing the vehicle, hand-to-hand combat isn't really a training focus.

Regardless, good job guys - that includes everyone - the Brit and actor too! We all need to work together to handle this. It is impossible to stop all violence everywhere in the world and trying is just stupid. A smile and pleasant conversation might have stopped this - probably not, but who knows?

I expressly like in the news that they beat the S..T out of him after... Good job guys

After 9/11, when Americans realize terrorists are willing to kill themselves

So, you still think this wasn't an inside job eh?

Correction. Kudos to my three fellow Americans.

They are fearless warriors who risked their lives for saving commuters of train. Back in WWII, U.S servicemen landed Normandy beach for liberation of France. Now a days, France has many radicalized extremists wanted to change the religion of France with brutal force. In fact France is no longer France.

U.S servicemen needed to liberate France again with unarmed combat. Both US and France shared freedom, liberty and Revolution sprit. No matter whether they are national guard or Air Force serviceman or Marine, they do not need weapons for Real fight in real life. Thousand times useful than armed policemen who are triggers happy for shooting unarmed men.

After 9/11, when Americans realize terrorists are willing to kill themselves if it means killing everyone too, Americans no longer sit quietly following terrorists' commands but rather now fight back since they could die anyway whether they fight back or not.

Train passengers fortunate there's trained American servicemen with them willing to risk their lives.

Airmen and National Guard are used to seeing desks, chairs, AC and copy machines. Nice work though.

Wc626 - Well, not everyone can boast of the combat experience you've got under your belt. What service were you in, again?

waiting to hear that this Moroccon was one those jihadis who wanted to travel to Syria but was kept "home" by the French or Dutch government

Apparently he had been fighting in Syria and came back. And he had been on a watch list. Which begs a few questions . . .

Not Marines, but Air Force and National Guard.

And let's not forget the British IT consultant. (It makes me proud to be in IT. :-) )

Although this was in many ways a terrible incident, it has a feelgood element. I saw a picture of the heroes on the BBC. Two young, fit looking lads with smiles that would charm everyone's grandmother, and a man who looks like an IT consultant. (Sorry, Chris. ) Well done, guys. You make the world a better place.

Welldone!! These guys deserve medals! I just wish they had finished the terrorist scumbag off! Instead, millions of tax payers money will be spent on keeping him alive in prison all his rotten life.

Wow great action. We can forget the politics for a day and just appreciate the work done in a timely manner and the positive outcome.

If only he said "Spencer, smash" though....

Homeboys were probably used to seeing guns compared to the others. Nice work!

Airmen and National Guard are used to seeing desks, chairs, AC and copy machines. Nice work though.

Not Marines, but Air Force and National Guard....great job guys!

Now I am waiting to hear that this Moroccon was one those jihadis who wanted to travel to Syria but was kept "home" by the French or Dutch government or wherever he lived.

Good job devil doggs! Way to step up. Think I'll pop in my Full Metal Jacket or Heartbreak Ridge on the blu-ray later-

Call a Marine

https://youtu.be/MWm_pEO27UA

God Bless America again.

We now have names and more details, thanks to Daily Mail. Unarmed US soldier is slashed in NECK as he and two friends wrestle AK47-wielding Moroccan terrorist to the ground after he opened fire on terrified train passengers in France

Air Force airman Spencer Stone ran at the gunman when he opened fire on the high speed service to Paris Was travelling with Oregon National Guard member Alek Skarlatos, 22, who was travelling through Europe

Yes, kudos to my two fellow Americans who subdued the gunman barehanded. if they had not been there it would have been a bloodbath. This is rare good luck that we should not expect to happen frequently. Unfortunately, trains like planes need to tighten security, as unpleasant as that is. With the train traffic the way it is, establishing a train security system is not going to be easy.

THANK YOU mr Marines.

That incident may have killed many passengers if US military men didn't take on terrorist gunman. The two US military men deserve medal for their heroic action. Well done Yankees. I hope you get well soon and united with family.

The Daily Mail (UK) has a great writeup of this, including the headline, "Unarmed hero US marine took bullet in the neck as he and colleague tackled euro-train gunman armed with AK47: American duo saved hundreds when they jumped on Moroccan terrorist after he opened fire on terrified passengers." Lots of photos too.

Runs up the Bravo Zulu flags, the marines are a credit to themselves and the US Navy.

US Marines are not welcome everywhere in the world, but these men are real heroes who can be proud of themselves and their country. When I read the news on the BBC this morning I got goose flesh!

Hooyah! Nice going guys

Good job, guys!! You're both true heroes!!

The word "hero" and "heroic" is often thrown around and abused these days.

Here is the definition:

"a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities."

Now THIS was heroic and these two Marines are heroes! Well done and thank you!

Truly "semper fidelis", "always faithful"!!

My Facebook feed is blowing up with "Unarmed US Marines prevent terror attack on train".

Semper Fi Devil Dogs. Even on vacation, Marines find opportunities to stomp a terrorist's face. ^_^.

"North Korea would have already attacked Japan if Marines weren't here."

Japan would have a large air force, army, and navy if US wasn't here. Give your head a shake...

The Marines deserve a sincere Thank You! from all those on the train. Their parents and those who trained them should be proud of them for what they did, and who they are. That was a good thing they did. I'm an ex-Marine but I don't know if I would have had the guts to do what they did. Thank you.

"You say Cheers now but I'm still not convinced that Japan appreciates America's military presence here. " - comments

Credit when credit is due. The article is describing an event in France when a madman intended to kill as many as he could. Reportedly, two American's took hits and subdued the lunatic. Cheers.

forzaducatiAug. 22, 2015 - 07:19AM JST

"The Americans were actually two marines who, when walking past a toilet, recognized the sound of a weapon being loaded and overpowered the guy when he exited the toilet."

forzaeducati - Could you tell us where you saw this info?

Megumi Shakti speaks the truth, and besides, we're here trying to help with the HISTORICAL LOW birth rate as well :)

Good job to those marines. Right place to stop this from being worse. Way to make the folks back home proud! It took real control not to end the troublemaker, I'm certain.

Part of the reason I like to travel by train in Europe is the ease of getting on/off the trains with all my stuff and not having to take a 45 min taxi into town. However, the top bunk in the sleepers isn't very comfortable. There is always a down-side.

Imagine if they hadn't been there. How many people would have died?

Indeed!

You better start showing America's service man some respect and stop complaining that they use Ospreys to provide your nation with security and freedom. North Korea would have already attacked Japan if Marines weren't here.

Well said.

You say Cheers now but I'm still not convinced that Japan appreciates America's military presence here.

Colonol Nathan Jessop summed up our feeling best towards anyone who has a problem with America's military stationed within their borders.

You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." - Jessop

Imagine if they hadn't been there. How many people would have died?

You better start showing America's service man some respect and stop complaining that they use Ospreys to provide your nation with security and freedom. North Korea would have already attacked Japan if Marines weren't here.

"A gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon on a high-speed train"

Someone screwed up in Amsterdam. Cheers for the Americans. Now find who and how this creep got an automatic weapon on a high-speed train.

I'm waiting for the US gun rights folks to say if everyone on the train had an automatic weapon this wouldn't have happened, that having more guns is the key to fighting gun crimes worldwide, that the world needs to be made safe for US gun makers.

Come on! First this happened in France and gun ownership issue for this story is irrelevant. I think the BIGGER issue is Kudos to the men that had the courage to stop these guys weapon one not. Takes some serious guts to see someone loading a gun and deciding to jump on an individual depending on the size and speed could have overpowered or even shot the guy, think about that for a moment, these guys didn't think twice to get involved in a very or what could have turned out to have been a violent disastrous carnage. These guys saved a lot of people.

Semper Fi! Thank you.

Ugly story. Hats off to the men who stopped the sick whacko. I'm waiting for the US gun rights folks to say if everyone on the train had an automatic weapon this wouldn't have happened, that having more guns is the key to fighting gun crimes worldwide, that the world needs to be made safe for US gun makers.

The Americans were actually two marines who, when walking past a toilet, recognized the sound of a weapon being loaded and overpowered the guy when he exited the toilet.

The right men did the right thing at the right time. I hope all will recover quickly fully. They deserve the best.

I hope he will get well.

Homeboys were probably used to seeing guns compared to the others. Nice work!