Dr. J. D. Golden, pastor of Calvary Assembly of God, said, “We want to show that some folks still love God and their country and appreciate the sacrifices made by our American servicemen and women in helping to protect and defend our American way of life.”
The day’s events will begin at 10 a.m. General Stringham will speak at 11 a.m.
A Ranger from the beginning of his military career in 1961, Stringham’s first assignment was as executive officer of the 7th Infantry Division Long Range Patrol Detachment in the Republic of Korea. He served in the Republic of Vietnam in 1963-65 with Special Forces and 1967-68 with the 31st Infantry as a company commander and Battalion S-3.
In January 1965, Stringham assumed command of Special Forces A Detachment Camp at Ben Cat, which was then under heavy pressure from a large Viet Cong unit. He soon gained a reputation as a combat leader who could and would gain and maintain contact with the enemy. During the 1965 offensive, Stringham was directed to gather what remained of his camp’s indigenous forces after the operation was neutralized by a major communist attack and form a Chinese mercenary battalion, the first of its kind and later the subject of the John Wayne movie, “The Green Berets.”
During the 1968 Tet Offensive, Stringham’s company threw back three major assaults from a North Vietnamese regiment. During this battle, Stringham. personally manned one ofhis company’s machine guns as his company successfully held off the assault.
From 1975-79, Stringham commanded three infantry battalions, culminating in his assumption of command as the fourth commander of the 1st Ranger Battalion. While commanding the 1st Ranger Battalion he gained the nickname “Smokin’ Joe” because of his tenacity, integrity, lead-from-the-front leadership style, and demanding the highest standards of performance.
In the 1980s, Stringham served as commander of the U.S. Military Group in EI Salvador during the critical phase of the insurgency. For his service in EI Salvador, Stringham received EI Salvador’s highest military decoration for bravery and meritorious service.
Gen. Stringham retired from active duty in November 1992. He was inducted into the United States Army Range Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Special Forces Hall of Fame this year. He has received numerous decorations, which include two Distinguished Service Medals, four Legion of Merit, and seven combat decorations for valor, including the Silver Star. He also received several foreign decorations for meritorious and combat service.
“We are honored to have a speaker of the caliber of General Stringham come and help us to recognize and honor our military veterans on For God and Country Day. His record of meritorious service should serve as an inspiration to all ofus who love God and our country.”
Pastor Golden stresses that all military veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to be a part of this special day of recognition and honor.
For more information, contact Golden at 423-584-0944.
