Anthony M. Henderson
Anthony Henderson | |
|---|---|
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| Born | September 6, 1966 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1989–present |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | Marine Corps Training Command 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | [citation needed] Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Bronze Star Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Combat Action Ribbon |
| Alma mater | Southern University Naval War College National Defense University |
Anthony M. Henderson is a major general in the United States Marine Corps and is currently serving as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Training Command, since 2024. He previously served as deputy director for joint strategic planning of the Joint Staff, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and director of concepts and plans at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Washington, D.C.,[1] he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1989, and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Southern University Law Center in 1994 with a view to become a staff judge advocate, but chose to join the combat arms.[2] His other military education includes the Amphibious Warfare School, the Naval War College, and the National War College. He also completed the Harvard School of Business Executive Education Program and MIT Seminar XXI Executive Program.[1]
Marine Corps career
[edit]As a line officer, he saw action in Iraq and as a battalion commander in Afghanistan, where he earned multiple awards, including the Bronze Star and Iraq Campaign Medal, for his actions in service during Operation Iraqi freedom.[2] He was deployed for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. He returned to Iraq from February to September 2004, during which he was deployed along the Iraq–Syria border.[1] In 2008 Henderson was sent to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.[1] There, his marines credited him with keeping almost all of them alive in a victorious battle against the Taliban at Jugroom Fort, Helmand Province,[2] and stories of his personal courage in the engagement became part of Marine lore.[3] His leadership prowess has also been reported at Entrepreneur magazine, by Jeremy Knauff, who served under his command.[4]
He was appointed commander of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2014.[2] As of March 2021, he served as director of concepts and plans at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.[5] In March 2021, the Marine Corps selected and confirmed Henderson for promotion to brigadier general, pending Senate confirmation.[3][6] The New York Times had previously reported that during the Trump administration, Henderson, who is African American, had been passed over for promotion thrice in favor of white men, despite a recommendation by Navy secretary Richard V. Spencer.[3]
He was promoted to brigadier general on July 1, 2021.[7] He also became commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force.[1]
On November 10, 2022, Henderson was cast as a key role in the Marine Corps' 247th birthday message, emphasizing confidence and lethality.[8]
Throughout his career, he has maintained a commitment, both on the battlefield and at home, to fellow service members though a combination of government and private sector programs, and peer support systems.[9][10]
In April 2022, Henderson led a Marine unit in a NATO joint training exercise, named "Cold Response," with Italian, French, and Dutch troops in the Arctic as part of the military's continued preparation for combat in different environments.[11]
Henderson later served as Deputy Director, Joint Strategic Planning, on the Joint Staff (J5), and in June 2024, he became the commanding general of Marine Corps Training Command.[1]
Personal life
[edit]He is married to Sonja, a retired colonel of the United States Army, and they have six children.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Major General Anthony M. Henderson". Marine Corps Training Command. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ a b c d Cooper, Helene (2020-08-31). "The Few, the Proud, the White: The Marine Corps Balks at Promoting Generals of Color". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Helene (2021-03-04). "Passed Over 3 Times, a Black Marine Colonel Is Being Promoted to General". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
- ^ Knauff, Jeremy (2022-11-10). "4 Leadership Lessons I Learned From a Marine Corps General". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "PN233 — Marine Corps, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ "WEBCAST: COL ANTHONY M. HENDERSON WILL BE PROMOTED TO BRIGADIER GENERAL". DVIDS. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ Loewenson, Irene (2022-11-07). "Marine Corps' 247th birthday message emphasizes confidence, lethality". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ "US Marines attend TMCF to strengthen communities". United States Marine Corps Flagship. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ Greene, Renss (2023-09-08). "Boulder Crest Celebrates 10 Years Serving Veterans". LoudounNow.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ Lawrence, Quil (2023-04-15). "NATO troops conducted a routine war exercise in the Arctic. This year felt different". NPR.
- Living people
- 21st-century African-American military personnel
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- United States Marine Corps generals
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- Southern University Law Center alumni
- Naval War College alumni
- Military personnel from Washington, D.C.