Two U.S. Marines have thwarted a terror attack on a train bound from Amsterdam to Paris.

The Marines, dressed in civilian clothes, heard the suspect load a weapon in the bathroom and surprised him upon his exit. One of the Marines was seriously injured in the attack as were two other people. French authorities detained a yet to be identified suspect of Morrocan origin who it is safe to say does not subscribe to Presbyterianism. This suspect was armed with a Kalashnikov, a knife, an automatic pistol as well as cartridges. He is known to French authorities and is believed to be an ISIS sympathizer. The Marines were praised by French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve who said they were “particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances.” Cazeneuve added: “Without their composure we could have been confronted with a terrible incident.” I shudder to think what could have happened if not for these Marines. They are heroes. Let’s pray for a speedy recovery for the injured Marine.

Sadly, I expected these Marines will receive more praise from the French Interior Minister than they will from the Obama Administration.

UPDATE: The two American soldiers have been identified as Spencer Stone of the U.S. Air Force and Alek Skarlatos of the Oregon National Guard (who returned from a deployment in Afghanistan last month) who were vacationing in Europe with childhood friend Anthony Sadler who also assisted them in subduing the gunman. Stone had his hand slashed and did require surgery, but he is expected to fully recover. 

President Obama did call these men to thank them for their courageous act.