Editing Michael Durant

{{Short description|American pilot & politician (born 1961)}}
{{About||people of the same name|Michael Durant (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox politician
| name                = Michael Durant
| image               = File:Michael Durant delivers a professional development seminar at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey (cropped).jpg
| birth_name          = Michael John Durant
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1961|7|23}}
| birth_place         = [[Berlin, New Hampshire]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| education           = [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]])
| allegiance          = {{flag|United States}}
| branch              = {{army|United States}}
| serviceyears        = 1979–2001
| rank                = [[Chief Warrant Officer 4]]
| unit                = [[101st Aviation Regiment]]<br/>[[160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment]]
| battles             = [[Operation Prime Chance]]<br>[[Operation Just Cause]]<br>[[Gulf War]]<br>[[Operation Gothic Serpent]]<br>{{*}}[[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]]
| mawards             = [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]]<br>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (3)<br>[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]<br>[[Purple Heart]]<br>[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]<br>[[Air Medal]] (3)<br>[[Prisoner of War Medal]]
| caption             = Durant in 2017
}}
'''Michael John Durant'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/08c5cba4e99247249625503de742e950|title=Pentagon has protocol for returned captives|last=Burns|first=Robert|work=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 6, 2014|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035331/https://apnews.com/article/08c5cba4e99247249625503de742e950|url-status=live}}</ref> (born July 23, 1961) is an American veteran, former pilot, businessman, author, and political candidate. He was involved in the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|"Black Hawk Down" incident]] while serving as a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] pilot,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2021/10/19/a-late-entry-in-the-u-s-senate-race/|title=Mike Durant officially enters Alabama U.S. Senate race|last=Moon|first=Josh|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=October 19, 2021|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035331/https://www.alreporter.com/2021/10/19/a-late-entry-in-the-u-s-senate-race/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ran unsuccessfully in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary for the [[2022 United States Senate election in Alabama]].

Durant was a member of the [[160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment]] (Night Stalkers) as a [[Warrant Officer (United States)|Chief Warrant Officer 3]]. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 [[Black Hawk helicopter|Blackhawk helicopter]] Master Aviator in the 160th SOAR after participating in combat operations [[Operation Prime Chance|Prime Chance]], [[Operation Just Cause|Just Cause]], and [[Gulf War|Desert Storm]], and also [[Operation Gothic Serpent|Gothic Serpent]], in which he was held [[Prisoner of war|prisoner]] for 11 days in 1993 after a [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|raid]] in [[Somalia]].

Following his retirement from the military in 2001, Durant published a book detailing his experiences, was involved in public speaking engagements and founded an engineering company in [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. He also became politically active as a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>{{Citation |title=United States of America |date=2022 |work=The Statesman’s Yearbook 2023: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World |pages=1225–1347 |url=https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-96056-9_195 |access-date=2024-07-09 |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1057/978-1-349-96056-9_195 |isbn=978-1-349-96056-9|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Early life and military training==
Durant was born on July 23, 1961, in [[Berlin, New Hampshire]],<ref name="UCSB">{{Cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-statement-michael-durant-joe-bidens-comments-about-being-shot-iraq|title=Press Release - Statement By Michael Durant On Joe Biden's Comments About Being "Shot At" In Iraq|website=presidency.ucsb.edu|publisher=[[University of California, Santa Barbara]]|date=October 1, 2008|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035331/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-statement-michael-durant-joe-bidens-comments-about-being-shot-iraq|url-status=live}}</ref> the son of Leon Durant and Louise (nee Boucher).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conwaydailysun.com/berlin_sun/community/leon-r-durant/article_b8b0846a-9c79-56a4-b184-14aa1b5f8d6e.html|title=Leon R. Durant|work=The Berlin Sun|date=October 4, 2010|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}</ref> He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1979;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadsdenmessenger.com/u-s-senate-candidate-mike-durant-visits-gadsden/|title=U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant visits Gadsden|last=Bohannon|first=Katie|work=The Gadsden Messenger|date=8 March 2022 |accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401064244/https://gadsdenmessenger.com/u-s-senate-candidate-mike-durant-visits-gadsden/|url-status=live}}</ref> after completing [[basic training]], he attended the [[Defense Language Institute]]. He was assigned to the 470th Military Intelligence Group at [[Fort Clayton]] in [[Panama]] as a [[Spanish language|Spanish]] voice intercept operator. Durant finished [[helicopter]] flight training at [[Fort Rucker]], [[Alabama]].<ref name="UCSB" /> During [[flight school]], he flew the [[TH-55]] trainer and [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1]] [[helicopter]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/66864/blackhawk-michael-durant/|title=Black Hawk Down: Michael Durant|work=VAntage Point|publisher=[[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120235537/https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/66864/blackhawk-michael-durant/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==U.S. Army service==
[[File:Michael Durant is presented the Honorable Order of St. Michael.jpg|thumb|Durant presented with the Honorable Order of St. Michael in 2001]]
[[File:Michael Durant speaks to officers at Tyndall Air Force Base.jpg|thumb|Durant speaks to officers at [[Tyndall Air Force Base]] in 2002]] 
In November 1983, Durant was promoted to Warrant Officer 1, following completion of the UH-60 Black Hawk Aviators Qualification Course, and was assigned to the 377th Medical Evacuation Company in [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]]. Durant flew over 150 medical evacuation missions in the UH-1 and [[UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60]] helicopters by 1985. He later moved to the 101st (Division) Aviation Battalion at [[Fort Campbell]], [[Kentucky]]. While serving as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, he took the [[flight instructor]]'s pilot course and conducted air assault missions in the UH-60. Durant joined the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) on August 1, 1988. Assigned to D Company, he performed duties as Flight Lead and Standardization Instructor Pilot. He participated in combat operations [[Operation Prime Chance|Prime Chance]], [[Operation Just Cause|Just Cause]] and [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]], where he was the first U.S. helicopter pilot to shoot at a [[SCUD]] [[missile]] launcher.<ref name="UCSB" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/2005/durant_2005.html|title=ACSC GOE: Michael J. Durant 2005 Biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126083736/http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/2005/durant_2005.html|date=2005|archivedate=November 26, 2007}}</ref>

==="Black Hawk Down" incident===
During [[Operation Gothic Serpent]] in Somalia, Durant was the pilot of helicopter "Super Six Four.” His was the second of two [[UH-60 Black Hawk|MH-60L]] Black Hawk helicopters to crash during the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]] on October 3, 1993. After his helicopter was hit on the tail by an [[RPG-7]], it crashed about a mile southwest of the operation's target.<ref>{{cite book|title= The battle of Mogadishu: first-hand accounts from the men of Task Force Ranger|url= https://archive.org/details/battleofmogadish00ever|url-access= registration|first=Matt|last= Eversmann|page=[https://archive.org/details/battleofmogadish00ever/page/36 36]|publisher =Presidio Press|year= 2005 |isbn=978-0-345-45966-4 }}</ref>

Durant and his crew of three, Bill Cleveland, Ray Frank, and Tommy Field, were badly injured in the crash. Durant suffered a crushed [[vertebra]] in his back and a [[Bone fracture|compound fracture]] of his left femur.<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0201/27/lklw.00.html|title=Encore Presentation: 1993 Interview With Michael Durant|work=CNN: Larry King Weekend|date=January 27, 2002|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006210116/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0201/27/lklw.00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Three [[Delta Force]] snipers, [[Gary Gordon|MSG Gary Gordon]], [[Randy Shughart|SFC Randy Shughart]] and MSG Brad Halling had been providing suppressive fire from the air at hostile Somalis who were converging on the crash site. All three volunteered for insertion onto the ground to protect the crew and join Durant in fighting off the advancing Somalis, although Halling took over the Blackhawk's minigun after a crew chief was injured before permission was granted and only Gordon and Shugart were inserted. The pair killed numerous Somalis before they ran out of ammunition. They were soon overwhelmed and killed, after Cleveland, Frank and Field had died. Both Gordon and Shughart received the [[Medal of Honor]] posthumously for their heroism in this action.<ref name=willbanks>{{cite book|title=America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan |first=James H.|last=Willbanks |page=308|publisher= ABC-CLIO|year=2011 |isbn= 978-1-59884-393-4  }}</ref>

The hostile Somalis captured Durant, the sole American survivor, and held him captive for 11 days. During much of his imprisonment, he was personally protected and cared for by Abdullahi "Firimbi" Hassan, a physician and propaganda minister to Somali General [[Mohamed Farrah Aidid]], though he was shot in his arm by an intruding militia member. Aidid then released Durant and a [[Nigerian]] soldier who had been captured previously into the custody of the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]].<ref name="CNN"/>

After being freed, and recovering at [[Landstuhl Regional Medical Center]] (LRMC) in [[Germany]], Durant resumed flying with the 160th SOAR. He retired from the Army in 2001 with more than 3,700 flight hours, over 1,400 of which were flown with [[Night vision device|night vision goggles]].<ref>{{cite book|title= A History of Army Aviation: From Its Beginnings to the War on Terror|first=James|last= Williams|page=373|publisher =iUniverse|year= 2005 |isbn=978-0-595-36608-8 }}</ref>

Durant's military service awards include the [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] with [[Oak leaf cluster|Oak Leaf Cluster]], [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] with [[Valor device|Valor Device]], [[Purple Heart]], [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]], three [[Air Medal]]s and the [[Prisoner of War Medal]], among others.<ref name="joinsAL" />

==Business ventures and writing==
After his retirement, Durant moved to Alabama<ref name="joinsAL">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/10/mike-durant-black-hawk-pilot-shot-down-in-somalia-joins-alabama-senate-race.html|title=Mike Durant, Black Hawk pilot shot down in Somalia, joins Alabama Senate race|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=October 19, 2021|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035331/https://www.al.com/news/2021/10/mike-durant-black-hawk-pilot-shot-down-in-somalia-joins-alabama-senate-race.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and began offering seminars to military personnel about helicopter maneuvering and [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) operations. Durant talks about the Somalia raid and the experiences he had while in captivity. He spoke extensively with actor [[Ron Eldard]], who portrayed him in the 2001 film ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'', which depicts the events of the raid.<ref>{{cite book|title= Combat Films: American Realism, 1945 – 2010|url= https://archive.org/details/combatfilmsameri00rubi|url-access= limited|edition=2|first=Steven Jay|last= Rubin |page=[https://archive.org/details/combatfilmsameri00rubi/page/n269 259]|publisher =McFarland|year= 2011 |isbn=978-0-7864-5892-9}}</ref>

In 2003, Durant published a book, ''[[In the Company of Heroes]]'', in which he chronicled his military career and his captivity.<ref>{{Cite book|author1=Durant, Michael|author2=Hartov, Steven|name-list-style=amp|title=In the Company of Heroes|publisher=Putnam Pub Group|year=2003|isbn=0-399-15060-9|url=https://archive.org/details/incompanyofheroe00dura}}</ref>

Durant holds a [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]] degree in professional aeronautics and an [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] degree in aviation management from the [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]]. Following his move to Alabama, he became owner, president and CEO of Pinnacle Solutions, an engineering services company based in [[Huntsville, Alabama]], in 2008.<ref name="joinsAL" /><ref name="YHN">{{Cite web|url=https://yellowhammernews.com/black-hawk-down-pow-mike-durant-considering-potential-run-for-u-s-senate/|title='Black Hawk Down' POW Mike Durant considering potential run for U.S. Senate|last=Smith|first=Dylan|work=Yellowhammer News|date=September 3, 2021|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421121954/https://yellowhammernews.com/black-hawk-down-pow-mike-durant-considering-potential-run-for-u-s-senate/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company's clients include the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]], the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] and [[NASA]], among others. In December 2021, after the launch of his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Durant turned over control of Pinnacle Solutions to its employees via an [[Employee Stock Ownership Plan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/politics/2022/01/senate-candidate-mike-durant-turns-over-company-to-employees.html|title=Senate candidate Mike Durant turns over company to employees|last=Garrison|first=Greg|work=AL.com|date=January 18, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035332/https://www.al.com/politics/2022/01/senate-candidate-mike-durant-turns-over-company-to-employees.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political career==
===Early activities===
Durant became involved in politics after his retirement from the military; as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he served on the presidential campaigns of [[George W. Bush]] in [[George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign|2004]] and [[John McCain]] in [[John McCain 2008 presidential campaign|2008]], both times in a veterans' leadership role.<ref name="YHN" />

In July 2008, Durant criticized then-presidential candidate [[Barack Obama]] for having cancelled a planned trip to LRMC near [[Ramstein Air Base]] where he had intended, while in Europe, to visit American casualties of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Durant said he thought this was inappropriate for a potential commander in chief.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/black-hawk-down-vet-condemns-obama|title='Black Hawk Down' Vet Condemns Obama|work=Fox News|date=July 29, 2008|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115071824/https://www.foxnews.com/story/black-hawk-down-vet-condemns-obama|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Scott Gration]], a retired two-star Air Force general who advised the Obama campaign, said in a response that Obama "did not want to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/obama-skips-visit-with-troops|title=The Cancellation of Obama's Troop Visit|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Jeff|last=Zeleny|date=July 25, 2008|accessdate=November 5, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923171018/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/obama-skips-visit-with-troops/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, Durant gave a speech to the [[United States Army War College|U.S. Army War College]], during which he mentioned the opinion that "disarming the population," like what had been done in [[Somalia]], would be "a pretty good step toward law and order" in U.S. cities. The comments re-emerged during Durant's campaign for the U.S. Senate; the campaign of primary opponent [[Katie Britt]] charged that Durant's worldview was "not conservative."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yellowhammernews.com/katie-britt-spokesman-sean-ross-blasts-mike-durants-view-on-the-second-amendment-its-not-conservative/|title=Katie Britt spokesman Sean Ross blasts Mike Durant's view on the Second Amendment — 'It's not conservative'|author=Yaffee|work=Yellowhammer News|date=April 6, 2022|accessdate=April 13, 2022|archive-date=April 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414020001/https://yellowhammernews.com/katie-britt-spokesman-sean-ross-blasts-mike-durants-view-on-the-second-amendment-its-not-conservative/|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant claimed that media outlets had mischaracterized and taken his statements out of context. In an interview with radio host [[Phil Williams (Alabama senator)|Phil Williams]], Durant stated, "I'm not condoning it. In fact, I'm arguing against it, that it really isn't a smart tactic – certainly not when you're outnumbered like we were there."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/durant-favored-gun-control-in-2011-speech-now-says-comment-mischaracterized.html|title=Durant favored gun control in 2011 speech, now says comment 'mischaracterized'|last=Gattis|first=Paul|work=AL.com|date=April 5, 2022|accessdate=April 13, 2022|archive-date=April 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413175203/https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/durant-favored-gun-control-in-2011-speech-now-says-comment-mischaracterized.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2022 U.S. Senate candidacy===
In September 2021, media speculation arose regarding a possible run for U.S. Senate by Durant.<ref name="YHN" /> He officially launched a campaign for the office on October 19, 2021, running to replace retiring incumbent senator [[Richard Shelby]] in [[2022 United States Senate election in Alabama|2022]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whnt.com/news/mike-durant-businessman-and-black-hawk-down-veteran-enters-alabama-senate-race/|title=Mike Durant, businessman and 'Black Hawk Down' veteran, enters Alabama Senate race|last=Sanders|first=Jeff|work=WHNT|date=October 19, 2021|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526065904/https://whnt.com/news/mike-durant-businessman-and-black-hawk-down-veteran-enters-alabama-senate-race/|url-status=live}}</ref> A late entry to the race, Durant positioned himself as a political outsider and supporter of former president [[Donald Trump]], outlining an "Alabama First" campaign tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2022/01/04/durant-begins-alabama-first-campaign-tour/|title=Durant begins "Alabama First" campaign tour|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=January 4, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118093413/https://www.alreporter.com/2022/01/04/durant-begins-alabama-first-campaign-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant was supported by the More Perfect Union [[political action committee]], which supports the formation of a caucus of centrist senators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yellowhammernews.com/new-pac-heavily-invested-in-alabama-to-support-mike-durants-u-s-senate-candidacy/|title=New PAC heavily invested in Alabama to support Mike Durant's U.S. Senate candidacy|last=Smith|first=Dylan|work=Yellowhammer News|date=January 18, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411180452/https://yellowhammernews.com/new-pac-heavily-invested-in-alabama-to-support-mike-durants-u-s-senate-candidacy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

By March 2022, Durant began to lead in polls against the two major opposing candidates in the Republican primary, Shelby's former Chief of Staff [[Katie Britt]] and Representative [[Mo Brooks]]. Durant's lead expanded after Brooks was un-endorsed by Trump.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/03/alabama-senate-race-mike-durant-surges-to-double-digit-lead-poll-says.html|title=Alabama Senate race: Mike Durant surges to double-digit lead, poll says|last=Gattis|first=Paul|work=AL.com|date=March 30, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331051724/https://www.al.com/news/2022/03/alabama-senate-race-mike-durant-surges-to-double-digit-lead-poll-says.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month, Durant expressed in interviews that he believed President [[Joe Biden]] was "not rightfully elected" in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]] and that he would not have voted to certify the election results, as well as support for removing Biden from office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yellowhammernews.com/exclusive-ala-senate-candidates-on-election-security-and-whether-2020-was-stolen/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Ala. Senate candidates on election security and whether 2020 was 'stolen'|last=Smith|first=Dylan|work=Yellowhammer News|date=March 29, 2022|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329211643/https://yellowhammernews.com/exclusive-ala-senate-candidates-on-election-security-and-whether-2020-was-stolen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2022, the [[Alabama Republican Party]] proposed a series of televised debates between Durant, Britt and Brooks. Durant's campaign did not agree to participate in these debates, and declined to comment when asked about the debates. Britt, Brooks, and other political analysts such as [[Quin Hillyer]] and [[Steve Flowers]] criticized Durant for an apparent refusal to debate. Brooks said that Durant "has the public policy chops of a snail," while Britt questioned if Durant had "something to hide."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/katie-britt-mo-brooks-agree-to-senate-debate-urge-mike-durant-to-participate.html|title=Katie Britt, Mo Brooks agree to Senate debate, urge Mike Durant to participate|work=AL.com|last=Gattis|first=Paul|date=April 13, 2022|accessdate=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420170528/https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/katie-britt-mo-brooks-agree-to-senate-debate-urge-mike-durant-to-participate.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/mike-durant-silent-on-why-he-wont-debate-alabama-senate-rivals.html|title=Mike Durant silent on why he won't debate Alabama Senate rivals|work=AL.com|last=Koplowitz|first=Howard|date=April 19, 2022|accessdate=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419224626/https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/mike-durant-silent-on-why-he-wont-debate-alabama-senate-rivals.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/katie-britt-says-mike-durant-debate-refusal-shows-he-clearly-has-something-to-hi-04-20-2022|title=Katie Britt says Mike Durant debate refusal shows he 'clearly has something to hide'|last=Poor|first=Jeff|work=[[1819 News]]|date=April 20, 2022|accessdate=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420130206/https://1819news.com/news/item/katie-britt-says-mike-durant-debate-refusal-shows-he-clearly-has-something-to-hi-04-20-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Alabama Republican Party chair [[John Wahl]] stated that the debates were unlikely to occur without Durant's participation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whnt.com/news/alabama-gop-u-s-senate-debate-unlikely-durant-wont-confirm-participation/|title=Alabama GOP: U.S. Senate debate unlikely, Durant won't confirm participation|last=Biertempfel|first=Maddie|work=WHNT|date=April 19, 2022|accessdate=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420052211/https://whnt.com/news/alabama-gop-u-s-senate-debate-unlikely-durant-wont-confirm-participation/|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant broke the silence on the debates on April 21, 2022, stating that he was open to debating but also cited scheduling issues with his own campaign schedule.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/politics/2022/04/mike-durant-breaks-silence-on-debating-alabama-us-senate-rivals-wed-be-glad-to-do-it.html|title=Mike Durant breaks silence on debating Alabama US Senate rivals: 'We'd be glad to do it'|last=Koplowitz|first=Howard|work=AL.com|date=April 21, 2022|accessdate=April 22, 2022|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422012800/https://www.al.com/politics/2022/04/mike-durant-breaks-silence-on-debating-alabama-us-senate-rivals-wed-be-glad-to-do-it.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant then officially declined the proposed dates for the debates later that month, shuttering the plans for the debate series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2022/05/02/durant-declines-offer-to-debate-katie-britt-mo-brooks/|title=Durant declines offer to debate Katie Britt, Mo Brooks|last=Burkhalter|first=Eddie|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=May 2, 2022|accessdate=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503134540/https://www.alreporter.com/2022/05/02/durant-declines-offer-to-debate-katie-britt-mo-brooks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Durant began to slip in polls around May, in the weeks before the primary election. Durant was the subject of multiple negative attack ads that contributed to a rising unfavorable rating among voters in polls. Additionally, Durant was the subject of speculation that he did not actually live in Alabama, which ''[[The New York Times]]'' called "a false claim."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/22/us/politics/alabama-senate-mo-brooks.html|title=Scorned by Trump, Mo Brooks Rises in Alabama Senate Race|last=Gabriel|first=Trip|work=The New York Times|date=May 22, 2022|accessdate=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523234131/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/22/us/politics/alabama-senate-mo-brooks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Durant's views on immigration also attracted attention shortly before the primary; he claimed in a radio interview that increased legal immigration was "[[America First (policy)|America First]]" while also touting that he was "the toughest on illegal immigration."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/mike-durant-doubles-down-says-more-legal-immigration-is-america-first|title=Mike Durant doubles down, says more legal immigration is 'America First'|last=Poor|first=Jeff|work=1819 News|date=May 14, 2022|accessdate=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606171038/https://1819news.com/news/item/mike-durant-doubles-down-says-more-legal-immigration-is-america-first|url-status=live}}</ref> On the night of the primary on May 24, Durant conceded the election after incoming results showed him in third place behind Britt and Brooks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/05/alabama-primary-election-2022-live-updates-results-from-senate-governor-other-races.html|title=Alabama Primary Election 2022: Results, live updates; Durant concedes in US Senate race|work=AL.com|date=May 24, 2022|accessdate=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524125635/https://www.al.com/news/2022/05/alabama-primary-election-2022-live-updates-results-from-senate-governor-other-races.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although there was media speculation that Durant would endorse Brooks after losing a spot in the runoff,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/durant-hints-at-mo-brooks-endorsement-if-he-misses-runoff-calls-britt-campaign-corrupt|title=Durant hints at Mo Brooks endorsement if he misses runoff, calls Britt campaign 'corrupt'|last=Poor|first=Jeff|work=1819 News|date=May 24, 2022|accessdate=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603020941/https://1819news.com/news/item/durant-hints-at-mo-brooks-endorsement-if-he-misses-runoff-calls-britt-campaign-corrupt|url-status=live}}</ref> in June, Durant officially declined to endorse Brooks or Britt, lambasting the political process and the two remaining candidates. Durant also stated that his campaign would be his last foray into politics, blaming his loss on "blatant" untrue attack ads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-mo-brooks-congress-alabama-aa92861e4b4b273b65fd2ecbf67a6e87|title=Durant won't endorse in Alabama's Senate runoff|work=Associated Press|date=June 4, 2022|accessdate=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605174015/https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-mo-brooks-congress-alabama-aa92861e4b4b273b65fd2ecbf67a6e87|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Durant and his wife, Lisa (who is also a former Army aviator), reside in [[Madison, Alabama]]. They have six children and three grandchildren.<ref name="joinsAL" /> Durant's previous marriage to his first wife, Lorrie, ended in divorce; Durant later stated that his handling of the media attention he received in the wake of the "Black Hawk Down" incident "probably was a contributing factor" to the divorce.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/us/mike-durant-rewind/index.html|title=Mike Durant: More than just the 'Black Hawk Down' guy|last=Cohen|first=Zachary|work=CNN|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 31, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401035331/https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/us/mike-durant-rewind/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Works==
#{{Cite book|author1=Durant, Michael|author2=Hartov, Steven|name-list-style=amp|title=In the Company of Heroes|publisher=Putnam Pub Group|year=2003|isbn=0-399-15060-9|url=https://archive.org/details/incompanyofheroe00dura}}
#{{Cite book |author1=Durant, Michael  |author2=Hartov, Steven |name-list-style=amp |title=The Night Stalkers|publisher=Putnam Pub Group|year=2006|isbn=0-399-15392-6}}

==Awards and decorations==
Durant's awards include:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="3"|[[File:US Army Master Aviator Badge.png|240px]]
|-
| colspan="6"|[[File:Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -73px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-leaf|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -83px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -73px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Prisoner of War ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed_Forces_Expeditionary_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -81px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -45px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army_Service_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Award numeral 2.png|20px]]</span>
|[[File:United_Nations_Medal ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|[[File:United Nations Medal, Operation in Somalia ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[Image:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|106px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
| colspan="3"|[[File:AirAssault.svg|120px]]
|-
|colspan="6"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint_Meritorious_Unit_Award_ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -83px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span> [[File:160th SOAR emblem.svg|80px]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="12"|[[United States Aviator Badge|U.S. Army Master Aviator badge]]
|-
|colspan="6"| [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]]
|colspan="6"| [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] <br />{{small|with 2 [[Oak leaf cluster]]s}}
|-
|colspan="4"| [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] <br />{{small|with [["V" device]]}}
|colspan="4"| [[Purple Heart]]
|colspan="4"| [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]
|-
|colspan="4"| [[Air Medal]] <br />{{small|with 3 [[Oak leaf cluster|Oak leaf clusters]]}}
|colspan="4"| [[Commendation Medal|Army Commendation Medal]] <br />{{small|with 2 [[Oak leaf cluster]]s}}
|colspan="4"| [[Achievement Medal|Joint Service Achievement Medal]]
|-
|colspan="4"| [[Achievement Medal|Army Achievement Medal]]
|colspan="4"| [[Prisoner of War Medal]]
|colspan="4"| [[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Army Good Conduct Medal]]
|-
|colspan="4"| [[National Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan="4"| [[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] <br />{{small|with 3 [[Campaign star]]s}}
|colspan="4"| [[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] <br />{{small|with 1 [[Campaign star]]}}
|-
|colspan="4"| [[Army Service Ribbon]]
|colspan="4"| [[Army Overseas Service Ribbon]] <br />{{small|with [[award numeral]] 2}}
|colspan="4"| [[United Nations Medal]]
|-
|colspan="4"| [[United Nations Medal#United Nations Medal ribbons|United Nations Medal Operation in Somalia]] <br />{{small|([[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|UNOSOM II]])}}
|colspan="4"| [[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)|Kuwait Liberation Medal]] <br />{{small|(Saudi Arabia)}}
|colspan="4"| [[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)|Kuwait Liberation Medal]] <br />{{small|(Kuwait)}}
|-
|colspan="12"| [[Air Assault Badge]]
|-
|colspan="6"| [[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] <br />{{small|with 3 [[Oak leaf cluster]]s}}
|colspan="6"| [[160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)|160th SOAR]] <br />{{small|[[Distinctive unit insignia]]}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durant, Michael}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:American Master Army Aviators]]
[[Category:American prisoners of war]]
[[Category:Battle of Mogadishu (1993)]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States Senate elections]]
[[Category:Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Hampshire Republicans]]
[[Category:People from Berlin, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:People from Madison, Alabama]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:United States Army officers]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections]]