Pennsauken Soldier Injured but Healing

Residents in Pennsauken, N.J., are getting reports of one of their soldiers in Iraq.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bill Hale was injured when he was blown 20 feet into the air after his group had completed delivering arms, ammunition and food to Marines on the frontlines outside of Nasiriyah.

When the attack started, Hale dove for the cover of his Humvee. Shrapnel caught him in both legs as rockets and rocket-propelled grenades exploded around him.

On Friday, Hale's parents got word that their son, who had been in the service for 18 years, and also fought in the Gulf War, was wounded. Hale's mother, Bea Mull, decided to go down to North Carolina and be with her son's wife and his son.

His stepfather, Terrance Mull, stayed in Pennsauken and told NBC 10 that when he saw his son on television, he was walking on air.

"I didn't even know he was going to be on TV. I sat down and turned the TV on, and I saw the one sergeant, then I see the lieutenant who was with his unit and I said, that's his unit and there he is," Mull said.

Hale was on television as he spoke in Germany with other members of his unit.

He was in a wheelchair but feisty as ever, talking about the ambush in Iraq last week where he and 31 other Marines were wounded.

"I heard a lot of explosions. Next thing I know, I was airborne, playing Superman for about 15 to 20 seconds -- landed flat on my back, got up, tried to stand up, fell back down. (I) thought my leg was broke. Next thing I know, a couple of my fellow Marines pulled me out," Hale said.

At the exact same time Mull was watching Hale on television, his wife and son were getting ready to talk to him from Camp LeJeune, N.C.

Mull said that watching that exchange, minutes later, tore at his heart.

"The neatest thing was to see him smile when he saw his son and his wife. That was tough. But he is alive and he's going to be good," Mull said.

Hale's wife will be having lunch with President George W. Bush Thursday when he travels to North Carolina to meet with some of the service people and families in that area.

An NBC reporter says he found out what kind of guy Hale is. The reporter was in Iraq was traveling in a Humvee that broke down. Hale helped out and fixed the Humvee.

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Author: Copyright 2002 by NBC 10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.