John Tescione took five 7.62x39s at close range on a cold Croatian night and lived to tell the tale, he even stayed in the Army for several years afterward. Two of the rounds hit him in the head. Just about anything is possible with effective medical attention.
Hi All Just want to make a comment, Yes I sure was shot on a cold night in Croatia, heck it was new years eve!, Yes most of the rounds were 7.62 x 39, but I was hit a total of 7 times, not 5 as is reported in most newpapers and in the war museum. 4 times to the head, of which a Mauser round was extracted from my head. It entered from the back of my left ear tearing it mostly off and damaging the ear canal, then lodging on my temple. One in the right upper arm removing half of the muscle and my tatoo! (the cap badge, dileas!). Once in my shoulder which went in one side out of the other side (more than likely from the back to front, but I was opened up by the doctors to clean things up from the damgae of the round). One last round entered my hand and ended up in my forefinger (9mm round).
Yes I did serve a few more years after this happened, in fact I returned to duty in less than 2 weeks! Finished off my contract and then went to instuct in the summer with the last group of three commando. Even had Dave Preeper as the Sgt. Major (he was our S.M over seas with Charles coy, 1 RCR).
All I know is I am no balistic expert, mayby I was born with a rabitts foot stuck up my as* but all I know is The Medics from Canada and the American 6th Naval Fleet were brilliant. Were the Beligerents firing from a far distance that would have lowered the powered of the rounds? They were point blank, I could have reached out and grabbed their rifles. Were they using rounds that were of a low standard. Due to the fact that they were in a civil war, It is not far from reality that stock was purchased was from the black market, and therefore, of a lower grade. Either way I surivived, so who knows what science says about the mechanics of war and the machines we use.
Just remember do your job and pray that the Gods of war are by our side
John Tescione
Dileas Gu Brath