Picture of a Soldier Comforting a Wounded Iraqi Child-Truth!
Summary of eRumor:
A picture is attached to this eRumor. It is that of an American soldier holding and comforting a small girl who is resting in his arms. The email says the soldier is John Gebhardt and the little girl was the victim of insurgents who shot her in the head and executed her family. It is said that she cries and moans and that John seems to be the only one who can calm her down.
The Truth:
According to an article in Air Force Print News in November, 2006, the story is true.
Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, was superintendent of the 22nd Wing Medical Group out of McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas.
The picture was taken in October, 2006, while he was deployed to Balad Air Base in Iraq.
The young girl had been shot in the head and had extensive injuries. The insurgents who shot her killed both of her parents and many of her siblings, according to the article.
Updated 2/1/08