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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Lt Col Anthony Henderson ~ January 21, 2013
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

Posted on 01/20/2013 5:04:22 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!
 
 

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Anthony Henderson

Info from here.

ArmyPatch small   Marine small   Air Force Seal   Air Force   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

For Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Henderson, it was a lifetime of service and professional development in the U.S. Marine Corps that prepared him to command 1,200 Marines in southern Afghanistan and engage in the most vicious combat fighting he had ever seen.

"Your preparations for those types of moments span your entire career," said Henderson. "At 18 years of education and training, it's what prepared me to listen and learn."

Just two months into his deployment in southern Helmand Province, Henderson, who was the Commander of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Division, was tasked to devise a combat plan to overrun a historic Taliban stronghold in the Gamshir area known as the Jugroom Fort. Jugroom Fort was a 19th century British fort, built out of mud, which spanned five kilometers and was surrounded by tunnels, machine-gun bunkers, minefield and IEDs. It was typically defended by 200-400 Taliban fighters at any given point in time.

"It was a very complex attack. We had forces moving by land and air - plus we were coordinating with the British forces," said Henderson.

The mission began on April 28, 2008, and for the next month, there were several sustained battles as the ISAF forces slowly closed in on the area. The major combat operation commenced on May 28, 2008. Henderson led his Battalion to the southern end of Fort Jugroom, while still keeping his eye on the overall battle plan.

As Henderson's Battalion approached the Fort, the enemy began firing on the rear echelon trucks, essentially closing them in between the Fort and enemy fire. Henderson decided to push his men into the interior area of the Fort to engage directly with the enemy.

"Marines had to physically get the Taliban out of the Fort and it was the most vicious fighting I had ever seen," reflected Henderson. "The enemy had defensive positions in and outside the Fort, and grenades and rocket fire were exchanged between 10, 20 and 30 meters."

"There were fighters and Marines all over the place. The enemy was around everyone and everyone was around the enemy."

At this point, Henderson's men and the other one thousand Marines fighting at Fort Jugroom had been awake for two whole days with temperatures reaching 110 degrees. With 3-4-foot wheat fields surrounding the Fort, Henderson knew that fighting into the night would be dangerous - from the threat of enemy attacks and the heat.

"I grew up on a farm and I knew that wheat fields collect extreme heat. I had to make a decision that would result in the least amount of casualties," reflected Henderson.

As the firefight subsided, the Marines retreated to nearby shelter. However, the next day, intelligence reports indicated that the enemy was packing up and heading toward the Pakistani border. It became a major victory for the ISAF forces and Henderson's Marines.

"We spent the next two weeks clearing the Fort and the surrounding villages where the Taliban had stocked weapons and ammunition," said Henderson. "For them, Jugroom was the final defense and there was nothing left to defend." Henderson's tour in Afghanistan lasted six more months after the battle for Jugroom Fort. Two years later, he is stationed with the Joint Chiefs Regional Operations Staff in Washington, D.C., and Henderson can only wish to be back in Afghanistan.

"It's humbling and fulfilling to lead Marines," reflected Henderson. "I have a constant yearning to be back there and amongst them."

More good stuff....

 

Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

PDF Right click to download this hero's story.

Interview:

September 01, 2010 - Pentagon Channel (1.8 MB)

 

     

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: blackie; E.G.C.; Arrowhead1952; ConorMacNessa; Allegra; Mrs.Nooseman; beachn4fun; Jet Jaguar; ...



61 posted on 01/21/2013 1:04:22 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

62 posted on 01/21/2013 1:14:21 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


63 posted on 01/21/2013 1:15:15 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: All
Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?


64 posted on 01/21/2013 1:39:34 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: E.G.C.

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...a little snow here today.

Any rain getting close for you? You and Bo have a great Monday.


65 posted on 01/21/2013 1:52:22 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

May get some rain next week. Crossing our fingers.


66 posted on 01/21/2013 3:25:10 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Thanks very much Lady Ms. B!

*BOW*

It's great to see you again!



Keep Faith with the Fallen of Benghazi! Let the Obama Regime, for once, tell the Truth!

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

67 posted on 01/21/2013 5:04:59 AM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...




Good Morning To Our Valiant Troops, To Our Vets, To Our Families, Our FRiends, Our Allies And To All Canteen Denizens!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe, especially those in combat!


An American Soldier Patrolling At Sunrise, Dabay Province, Afghanistan

Reveille
(click)



GOOD MORNING!
Some People Wake Up, Stretch and Enjoy Freedom -
Some People Wake Up, Stretch and Defend It!

May The Lord Protect And Uphold Our Troops In Their Vital Mission!

May He Keep Safe Their Families During Their Time Of Separation!

May He Preserve And Uphold The American Nation In This Time Of Adversity!








Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

68 posted on 01/21/2013 5:08:15 AM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W

The Harley is looking a little dirty.

I think today will be a good day to do some detailing.

With a toothbrush.


69 posted on 01/21/2013 5:11:52 AM PST by left that other site (Worry is the darkroom that developes negatives.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; txradioguy; beachn4fun; StarCMC; Lady Jag; laurenmarlowe; tomkow6; GodBlessUSA; ...











Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. Not as cold this morning with 65º the forecast high.





70 posted on 01/21/2013 5:18:11 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (0 bummer inherited a worse economy in 2012 than he did in 2008.)
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To: left that other site

Maybe this is a good day to pick lint from my belly button. ;)

Should take most of the day.........


71 posted on 01/21/2013 5:55:05 AM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: LUV W

LOL!

How long have you allowed it to build up?

Since the LAST Inauguration?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE


72 posted on 01/21/2013 6:00:22 AM PST by left that other site (Worry is the darkroom that developes negatives.)
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To: y'all; Arrowhead1952; beachn4fun; E.G.C.; GodBlessUSA; ConorMacNessa; Kathy in Alaska; HiJinx; ...

Goood Monday morning, Early Birds!
Try to remember the flag today....
....and not the little worm in the people's house!
Hope all of you have a great day doing regular stuff!
Warning: TV might be bad for your health
(and temper)! LOL!
((((hugs))))

73 posted on 01/21/2013 6:05:18 AM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: LUV W




Good morning, Luv!

***HUGS***



How are you doing this morning? Temps are dropping here in D.C. Land - looking for lows in the high teens tonight!








Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

74 posted on 01/21/2013 6:15:55 AM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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To: LUV W

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How’s it going?


75 posted on 01/21/2013 6:18:39 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: LUV W

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))). I am not watching “not my pres - - ent” in DC today.


76 posted on 01/21/2013 7:37:13 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (0 bummer inherited a worse economy in 2012 than he did in 2008.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; AZamericonnie; All

77 posted on 01/21/2013 7:37:45 AM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie

Well, that certainly gets the message across!
Good morning, stranger!
Is it chilly enough up there? Got snow?


78 posted on 01/21/2013 8:09:23 AM PST by HiJinx (The New Year is here; to all Men Good Cheer. (Last one out, turn out the lights.))
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To: HiJinx; lonestar

Hey, Jinxy! Long time no see!

(I put that graphic together yesterday - with the idea from Lonestar!)

It is a beautiful day up here - sunny, and clear blue skies! How about your part of the state?


79 posted on 01/21/2013 8:22:23 AM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie
I've been in mourning since November, 2008 and will remain so until the White House returns to American hands!



Keep Faith with the Fallen of Benghazi! Let the Obama Regime, for once, tell the Truth!

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

80 posted on 01/21/2013 8:24:26 AM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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