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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: Kathy in Alaska

ALASKA - INSIDE PASSAGE
DAY & DATEDESTINATIONTIMEMORE INFORMATION
FRI 05/10/13 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA VIEW DETAILS
FRI 05/10/13 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
SFO CRUISE TERMINAL PIER 35

FISHERMAN’S WHARF
THE EMBARCADERO
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
WWW.SFGOV.ORG/SFPORT
DEPART 4:00PM
SAT 05/11/13 AT SEA
SUN 05/12/13 AT SEA
MON 05/13/13 KETCHIKAN, ALASKA ARRIVE 7:00AM DEPART 3:00PM
TUE 05/14/13 JUNEAU, ALASKA ARRIVE 8:00AM DEPART 9:00PM
WED 05/15/13 SKAGWAY, ALASKA ARRIVE 7:00AM DEPART 8:00PM
THU 05/16/13 TRACY ARM FJORD, ALASKA (SCENIC CRUISING) ARRIVE 5:00AM DEPART 10:00AM SCENIC CRUISING
FRI 05/17/13 AT SEA
SAT 05/18/13 VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA ARRIVE 7:00AM DEPART 2:00PM
SUN 05/19/13 AT SEA
MON 05/20/13 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
SFO CRUISE TERMINAL PIER 35

FISHERMAN’S WHARF
THE EMBARCADERO
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
WWW.SFGOV.ORG/SFPORT
ARRIVE 7:00AM
MON 05/20/13 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA VIEW DETAILS
Your itinerary includes 2 formal nights and 8 smart casual nights.


81 posted on 01/21/2013 9:17:26 AM PST by al baby (Hi Mom)
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To: HiJinx; left that other site; ConorMacNessa; All

(And this does not even include the killings in Benghazi)

82 posted on 01/21/2013 9:38:56 AM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie
Excellent! Although the spelling is wrong. I snagged it!



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)

83 posted on 01/21/2013 9:45:23 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: yorkie

Indeed.


84 posted on 01/21/2013 9:59:29 AM PST by left that other site (Worry is the darkroom that developes negatives.)
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To: ConorMacNessa

I noticed the misspelling, too - but when I saw that graphic - I had to save it - because we ALL miss the inauguration of 1981, and the man who truly LOVED and SERVED this country!


85 posted on 01/21/2013 10:10:33 AM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie
Indeed we do! I corrected the spelling in Photobucket.



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)

86 posted on 01/21/2013 10:13:52 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: yorkie
It's sunny, clear, and 60o here right now.
It has been awhile, I agree. Been very busy, lately!
Our oldest lives with us now, until he gets a steady good-paying job. And we have Piper 2 days a week, too. Life is good.
87 posted on 01/21/2013 10:20:44 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: ConorMacNessa

Can you post it here - so WE can snag it? (pretty please)


88 posted on 01/21/2013 10:21:42 AM PST by yorkie
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To: yorkie
Certainly! Couldn't get the font quite right - perhaps I should have done it in Paint.





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)

89 posted on 01/21/2013 10:25:35 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: yorkie

The flag in front of my house is at half staff today.


90 posted on 01/21/2013 10:47:48 AM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Me either. Why ruin a perfectly beautiful day! :)


91 posted on 01/21/2013 10:50:41 AM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: LUV W

The bad thing is that I am probably stuck inside all day. The cedar pollen is bad today. It was bad yesterday too, but today it was so bad shortly after my walk that I couldn’t see much more than the outline of my cousin’s house. She lives on a hillside less than one mile from us.


92 posted on 01/21/2013 11:27:20 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (0 bummer inherited a worse economy in 2012 than he did in 2008.)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Yuk on the pollen! I’ve seen that during bluebonnet season...my maroon car was yellow LOL!...and the sneezing and watery eyes never stopped!


93 posted on 01/21/2013 1:51:54 PM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: LUV W; yorkie
While I certainly understand the reason for your flying the Flag at half staff, ladies, I must respectfully decline to have it so at my dwelling. Today, as every day, the Stars and Stripes flies high and proud at Castle MacNessa:





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)

94 posted on 01/21/2013 2:44:11 PM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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Comment #95 Removed by Moderator

To: ConorMacNessa

I guess we all cope in our own way. :)


96 posted on 01/21/2013 3:18:53 PM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: al baby

Hi Al....sounds like a wonderful trip. Ketchikan and Skagway are definitely places I would love to visit some day.

Juneau is the State Capitol (accesible only by air or sea), but the session will be over.

Don’t forget your rain gear....anywhere you go in Alaska.
Make sure you have lots of film, or memory cards, for your camera.


97 posted on 01/21/2013 4:31:48 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: left that other site

Hope your Harley detailing has gone well. I finally shut my radio at work off.....every news report made my ears hurt.


98 posted on 01/21/2013 4:36:37 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: ConorMacNessa

Is your address really 1776 _________ ? How cool is THAT! :)


99 posted on 01/21/2013 4:45:08 PM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos!)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Good evenng, Arrowhead...((HUGS))

Did you warm up? We are supposed to be above freezing for the next 2 days, and then drop into the teens again. *sigh*


100 posted on 01/21/2013 4:55:15 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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