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When I reported on the tragic killing of Major General Harold J. Greene in Afghanistan, I wrote, “Every death our troops suffer in Afghanistan — or in any combat zone — is a tragedy, regardless of branch of service, gender, rank, etc.”
And added:
Yes, this does make news because of the high rank of the casualty, but also because of the brazenness of the attack, because of who the attacker is believed to be and because this officer — along with all other U.S. troops in that country — was surely looking forward to a safe return home, to his loved ones, in a very short time.
Today, the Department of Defense in effect acknowledged that every combat casualty, regardless of rank or status, is of equal standing, is of equal graveness and significance, by announcing the general’s death exactly as it does when it announces the loss of every other of our brave men and women who fall in combat.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, 55, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Aug. 5, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by small arms fire. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan.
For more information, media may contact the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs of the Army during duty hours at 703-693-7589, or after duty hours at 703-944-8435.
A couple of things not reflected in the DoD announcement are that the general leaves behind his wife, retired Col. Sue Myers, who was a study director and a professor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and two grown children — a son, Matthew, who is a lieutenant and a graduate of West Point, and a daughter, Amelia, as reported by the LA Times.
Also, that Greene, a native of upstate New York held three advanced degrees from USC and was described by colleagues as a family man and a brilliant logistician with a quick sense of humor who wanted to be in Afghanistan, “happy to be over there” working directly with soldiers and Afghan troops, as told by colleagues and officials to the LA Times.
Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno issued the following statement:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene’s family, and the families of our soldiers who were injured today in the tragic events that took place in Afghanistan. These soldiers were professionals, committed to the mission. It is their service and sacrifice that define us as an Army.
Our priority right now is to take care of the families, ensuring they have all the resources they need during this critical time.
We remain committed to our mission in Afghanistan and will continue to work with our Afghan partners to ensure the safety and security of all coalition soldiers and civilians.
Photo U.S. Army
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.