17 Rangers set for Ranger Hall of Fame induction at Fort Benning
A Columbus chaplain who was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, during a fierce battle that led to the movie, “Black Hawk Down,” is among 17 Rangers to be inducted Wednesday into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.
Hosted by the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade and the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 1 p.m. event is held in Marshall Auditorium at the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters, McGinnis-Wickham Hall. After the ceremony, photos and citations of the inductees will be displayed in the Ranger Hall of Fame at the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade in Harmony Church.
The inductees to be honored are: Chaplain Jeffery D. Struecker, Sgt. Maj. Tyrone J. Adderly, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank G. Ashe, 1st Sgt. Herbert M. Baugh, 1st Sgt. Ronald W. Grenier, Master Sgt. Gilbert H. Howland, Staff Sgt. Ronnie N. Imel, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard C. Lamb, Maj. Larry D. Moores, Brig. Gen. James C. Nixon, U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas R. Norris, Master Sgt. Leroy A. Petry, 1st Sgt. Michael J. Ramsey, Sgt Maj. John W. Roy, Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Thompson, Lt. Gen. John R. Vines and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew C. Walker.
The Hall of Fame has recognized the contributions of Rangers since 1992 by honoring and preserving the spirit of America’s finest soldiers. Representing and era of Ranger history, inductees are selected impartially from Ranger units and associations.
To become eligible for the nomination, each soldier must be a successful graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School, be deceased, separated or retired from active-duty military service for at least three years and served in a Ranger unit in combat.
Struecker is now lead pastor at Cavalry Baptist Church in Columbus. As a 24-year-old sergeant, he was a squad leader assigned to Task Force Ranger in 1993 as part of the 75th Ranger Regiment. While facing intense fire in the Battle of Mogadishu, Struecker led the three-vehicle convoy back to the base with wounded Ranger Pvt. Todd Blackburn.
The battle was immortalized in the book and led to the movie, “Black Hawk Down.”
The ceremony is open to the public.
Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87
This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 4:38 PM with the headline "17 Rangers set for Ranger Hall of Fame induction at Fort Benning."