Synopsis: Based on sources that include interviews with surviving members of the 507th Maintenance Company, Department of Defense reports, and the first-person account of Mohammed Al-Rehaief, the Iraqi lawyer who risked everything to inform the American military of Jessica's whereabouts, "Saving Jessica Lynch" stars Laura Regan ("They") as 19-year-old Pfc. Jessica Lynch. Nicholas Guilak ("War Stories," "24") stars as Mohammed Al Rehaief, the Iraqi father and husband who risked his own family's safety to help Lynch, leading to her heroic rescue on April 1, 2003.

The inspiring story of Lynch's (Regan) rescue provided hope to the nation during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "Saving Jessica Lynch" is a story of incredible courage - the courage of a young soldier, an Iraqi stranger and the American Special Operations team who brought her home.

On the morning of March 23, the 507th Maintenance Company, a non-combat unit comprised of cooks, mechanics and clerks, cross the Euphrates River and find themselves entering the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. Exhausted and lost - having fallen behind the larger military convoy they were meant to be a part of -- the 507th tries desperately to retrace their route when suddenly they come under fire from the Iraqis, their exit blocked by vehicles and debris. At the end of the firefight, 11 American soldiers are dead and nine wounded - among them a 19-year-old clerk from Palestine, West Virginia, Pfc. Jessica Lynch - who was injured when the Humvee she was riding in slammed into a tractor-trailer during the ambush. Captured by the Iraqis, Lynch is taken to Saddam Hussein hospital where - uncertain of the fates of her friends - she awaits medical attention, far from home, alone and frightened. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Rehaief, an Iraqi lawyer and father of a young daughter himself, visits his wife who is a nurse at the hospital. At the hospital, he learns of the young American soldier who is being held prisoner by the Fedayeen. In spite of his wife's fears and protests, Mohammed is haunted by concern for the young woman. Knowing that his involvement will put his own family at risk, he decides that he must find a way to help her.

The Cast:
Laura Regan as Jessica Lynch
Nicholas Guilak as Mohammed Al-Rehaief
Crystle Lightnin as Lori Piestewa
Susan Pari as Iman
Cristina Campos as Abeer
Lina Patel as Dr. Hamida
Brent Sexton as Greg Lynch Sr.
Amy Jones as Dee Lynch
Benjamin King as 1st. Sgt. Dowdy
Denise Lee as Shoshana Johnson
Rafael Tamayo as Hernandez
Dak Rashetta as Sgt. James Riley
Brent Anderson as Cpt. Troy King
Michael Rooker as Commander Curry

Production Credits:
Dan Paulson ("Passenger 57," "A Cooler Climate") and Bob Chmiel (Emmy Award nominee "A Gift of Love") serve as executive producers. The writer is John Fasano ("The Hunchback," "Profiler"). Peter Markle ("Bat 21," "C.S.I.") directs the presentation from Daniel L. Paulson Productions in association with NBC Studios.

Airdates:
Premiered on Sunday, November 9th, 2003 on NBC.