Marine Wins Personal Iraq Battle
After aiding the U.S. military, an Iraqi translator seeks refuge in New York.
June 26, 2007 — -- As thousands of Iraqis seek refuge in the United States, one landed in New York today because of the efforts of a tenacious Marine.
More than a year ago, after he returned from Fallujah, Marine Capt. Zachary Iscol began to wage a battle to bring his Iraqi translator to the United States to live safely after Iraqi insurgents threatened his life.
"Just coming to work was an act of heroism and courage on his part," Iscol told ABC's David Muir.
Several days a week, Khalid Abood traveled one of the most dangerous roads in Iraq from his home in Baghdad to Fallujah — all to help the Americans.
"His photo and face [were] posted on mosques by the insurgents," Iscol explained. "There's literally a price on his head. And at the end of the day, that price doesn't go away."
In January, Iscol testified before Congress on behalf of Abood and all the interpreters who served with American troops. When talking about Abood, Iscol said, "He wore the Marine Corps uniform in combat."
Iscol's efforts worked, and today he waited at a New York airport for Abood, his wife and his daughters to get off their long-awaited flight to the United States.
"That's a moment I've been waiting for for a long time," Iscol said.
When they arrived, he couldn't wait to introduce this man whom he now calls his Iraqi father, a sentiment shared by the translator who smiled warmly after seeing Iscol at the airport.
"When I saw my son in there for the first time, I was shocked," Abood said. "Really, he is my son."
Abood and his family will get a tour of New York before finding a place to live here, far from that dangerous road back home to Baghdad.
Related Stories
ABC News Live