King’s Outdoor World Blog

Gerber Knife Saves Soldier

February 20th, 2006 David King - King's Outdoor World

I was at the Gerber booth at the SHOT Show and just received this press release from them and thought this was a great story to pass along.

SOLDIER MAKES SPECIAL PRESENTATION
TO GERBER AT SHOT SHOW 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. ­ Gerber Legendary Blades, long known for its support of
America’s servicemen and women, has developed and produced numerous products
to aid soldiers on the field of battle. Now, one of the soldiers has
returned from Iraq to say thanks.

Army SFC Dillard Johnson, penned down in an abandoned building by insurgent
gunfire in Iraq, came under a heavy night attack after bright lights were
used to illuminate his position. With his Gerber LMF II, a rugged 10-inch
survival knife with an insulated handle, Johnson was able to sever a pair of
220-volt power cords without being shocked, disabling the lights. Under the
veil of darkness, Johnson and a comrade were able to wait for reinforcements
before exiting the building unharmed.

To thank Gerber, Johnson¹s unit ­ 3rd Infantry Division, 3/7th Cavalry ­
presented Gerber President Jason Landmark with the U.S. flag that flew over
the division¹s base in November. The presentation is the highest honor that
a military division can bestow upon civilians. In addition, Johnson
presented that same LMF II used to cut the power cables to Gerber Marketing
Services Manager Mark Schindel

“To receive the same knife that served one of our brave soldiers on the
field of battle is quite an honor,” Schindel said. “The knife and the flag
are treasured by everyone in the company and they will be constant reminders
of why we work so hard to ensure that we make the best knives in the world.”

Joining Johnson in the Gerber booth this year at the SHOT Show was
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Army SFC Sammy Davis (Ret.), who
returned to the booth again this year to autograph replicas of the
Congressional Medal of Honor Citation he received for his selfless and
heroic acts during the Vietnam War.

The soldiers highlighted Gerber’s appearance at SHOT Show where the company
debuted a bevy of new products, from hydration packs to L.E.D. lights to
knives and multi-function tools. Among the new products shown were the
Freehand and Hinderer Rescue  multi-tools, Carnivore Blood Tracking
Light, Presto 3.5 assisted opening pocket knife, the Quadrant Hunting and
Medal XC hydration packs, the Superknife 3 Blade Utility Knife and the
Superknife Ultrashear.

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