The 2018 Hard as Hell Heroes 2 Gun match was held May 12th and 13th  at the Southern Utah Practical Shooting Range with KE Arms as the overall match sponsor.  Each stage was dedicated to a different Medal of Honor recipient, with elements of the stage being influenced by the particular citation to accompany the award of that particular recipient.

This is the fourth of a series of posts. In this series, we’ll be taking you through the match stage by stage with the shooter’s from KE Arms, Independence Training, and We Plead the 2nd, with video coverage from InRange TV.

Continued from Stage 3 (Sgt. Thomas Baker Stage). 

IRTV’s Karl Kasarda’s usual c0-host, Ian McCollum, was out of the country during this event so KE Arm’s Marketing Director Russell Phagan (aka SinistralRifleman) stepped in to co-host these match videos.

Stage 4 is inspired by the actions of James E Williams.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. PO1c. Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy sampans. PO1c. Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of 1 enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small-arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the river bank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior enemy force aboard 2 enemy junks and 8 sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, PO1c. Williams, with utter disregard for his safety exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, PO1c. Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement his discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol through the intense enemy fire and damaged or destroyed 50 enemy sampans and 7 junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, PO1c. Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although PO1c. Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats’ search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of PO 1 c. Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the 3 hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of 65 enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Stage 4 Video Coverage Courtesy of InRange

   Use Coupon Code BBCKE18 at the checkout of KEArms.com for 10% off.    

Stage 4 Photo Gallery.  Photos Courtesy of Bryan Welch/We Plead the 2nd.

KE Arms’ Russell Phagan engages rifle targets with his KE-15 Shooting Team Rifle using the offset Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot.

Independence Training’s Josh Reeves uses a KE34 Charlie with Deltapoint Pro on the pistol portion of Stage 4.

InRange TV’s Karl Kasarda using his AK74 with Trijicon Accupoint to engage rifle targets.

KE Arms’ Jordan Henderson uses his KE34 Echo on the pistol portion of Stage 4

Find the entire Hard as Hell Heroes Two Gun Match series here: