Allegiance United States Role Author Years of service 1987–2011 | Rank Major Name Jeff Struecker | |
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Battles/wars Operation Just CausePersian Gulf WarBattle of MogadishuOperation Iraqi FreedomOperation Enduring Freedom Awards Bronze Star with V device and two oak leaf clusters Battles and wars United States invasion of Panama, Gulf War, Battle of Mogadishu, Iraq War, Operation Enduring Freedom Books Certain Jeopardy, Blaze of Glory: A Novel, Hide and Seek, Fallen Angel | ||
Major jeff struecker liberty university convocation
Jeffrey D. Struecker (born March 7, 1969 in Fort Dodge, Iowa) is an author, pastor, and former U.S. Army Ranger who was involved in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. He also participated in the 1989 invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause) and in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Struecker has co-authored five published books.
Contents
- Major jeff struecker liberty university convocation
- The untold story of black hawk down jeff struecker
- Enlisted service
- Battle of Mogadishu
- Commissioned service
- Post military career
- Return to Mogadishu
- Education and personal life
- Published books
- References
The untold story of black hawk down jeff struecker
Enlisted service
Enlisted in the Army in September 1987 at the age of 18, Struecker served ten years in the 75th Ranger Regiment in positions ranging from Ranger Reconnaissance Specialist to Platoon Sergeant. He would go on to win the Best Ranger Competition in 1996 with partner SPC Isaac Gmazel.
Struecker was also recognized in 1998 with the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Battle of Mogadishu
In the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Struecker was a 24-year-old Sergeant and squad leader assigned to Task Force Ranger as a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He led the 3-vehicle convoy that returned, through intense fire, wounded Ranger Pvt. Todd Blackburn to base. In the film based on the battle, Black Hawk Down, Struecker is portrayed by Brian Van Holt.
Commissioned service
After his enlisted service ended in April 2000, Struecker went on to graduate from seminary and became commissioned as a Chaplain. As Chaplain, Struecker served multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Struecker's final military assignment was Chaplain with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Struecker retired from active military service at the end of January 2011.
Post-military career
Immediately following his retirement from the military, Struecker joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia and became its lead pastor in April 2014. Struecker and his family had been members of the church since 2007. Struecker has also continued to author books and he speaks regularly to audiences across the United States about his experiences and about his Christian faith.
Return to Mogadishu
In March 2013 Struecker returned to Mogadishu with a film crew to shoot a short film Return to Mogadishu: Remembering Black Hawk Down which debuted in October 2013 on the 20th anniversary of the battle. Struecker and fellow veteran-turned-country singer Keni Thomas relived the battle as they drove through the Bakaara Market in armored vehicles and visited the Wolcott crash site.
Education and personal life
Struecker earned the Doctor of Philosophy from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Science Degree and Associate of Science Degree from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama.
He is married to his wife Dawn and has five children.