Jeff Struecker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Struecker in 2009 | |
| Born | (1969-03-07)March 7, 1969 (age 56) Fort Dodge, Iowa, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1987–2011 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 3d Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Operation Just Cause Gulf War Operation Gothic Serpent Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Silver Star Medal Bronze Star Medal (3) |
| Alma mater | |
Jeffery Dean Struecker (born March 7, 1969)[1][2] is an American author, pastor, and formerUnited States ArmyRanger who was involved in theBattle of Mogadishu in 1993.[2][3][4] He also participated in the 1989invasion ofPanama (Operation Just Cause)[2][3] and inKuwait duringOperation Desert Storm.[2][3] Struecker has co-authored five published books.[5] Struecker was portrayed byBrian Van Holt in the 2001 filmBlack Hawk Down. In 2017, he was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame.[6]
Enlisted in theUnited States Army in September 1987[2] at the age of 18, Struecker served ten years in the75th Ranger Regiment[7] in positions ranging from Ranger Reconnaissancespecialist toplatoon sergeant. He would go on to win theBest Ranger Competition in 1996 with partner SPC Isaac Gmazel.[4][8]
Struecker was also recognized in 1998 with the United States ArmyReserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.[9]
In the 1993Battle of Mogadishu, Struecker was a 24-year-oldsergeant and squad leader assigned toTask Force Ranger as a part of the75th Ranger Regiment. He led the 3-vehicle convoy that returned, through intense fire, wounded Ranger Private Todd Blackburn to base. Struecker was awarded theSilver Star for his actions in Mogadishu.[10]
In the film based on the battle,Black Hawk Down, Struecker is portrayed byBrian Van Holt.[11]
After his enlisted service ended in April 2000,[2] Struecker went on to graduate from seminary and became commissioned as a chaplain.[3][12] As chaplain, Struecker served multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.[9] Struecker's final military assignment was chaplain with theRegimental Special Troops Battalion of the75th Ranger Regiment.[13][14] Struecker retired from active military service at the end of January 2011.[13]
Immediately following his retirement from the military, Struecker joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church inColumbus, Georgia[9][13] and became its lead pastor in April 2014 and resigned the position in May 2019.[16] Struecker then founded 2 Cities Church in Columbus, Georgia, where he is currently the lead pastor. Struecker has also continued to author books[5] and he speaks regularly to audiences across the United States about his experiences and about hisChristian faith.[17]
In March 2013 Struecker returned to Mogadishu with a film crew to shoot a short filmReturn to Mogadishu: Remembering Black Hawk Down which debuted in October 2013 on the 20th anniversary of the battle. Struecker and fellow veteran-turned-country singerKeni Thomas relived the battle as they drove through theBakaara Market in armored vehicles and visited the Wolcott crash site.
Struecker earned the Doctor of Philosophy fromSoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary inWake Forest, North Carolina, a Master of Divinity Degree from theSouthern Baptist Theological Seminary inLouisville, Kentucky,[3] and a Bachelor of Science Degree and Associate of Science Degree fromTroy State University inTroy, Alabama.
He is married to his wife Dawn and has five children.[3]
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