Black Hawk Down Ranger
Says Conflict Solidified Faith

Army chaplain Jeff Struecker told Samford students his religious faith gave him strength during a two-day conflict in Somalia that is portrayed in the movie, Black Hawk Down.

"My faith made all the difference," the real-life hero said during the March 5 convocation.

Struecker was an Army ranger who helped recover and rescue injured soldiers during an October 1993 firefight that left 18 American soldiers dead during the peacekeeping mission. He has since become a chaplain who ministers to 500 soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The release of the movie, Black Hawk Down, in January has opened doors for Struecker to share his faith, and he is doing so at periodic speaking engagements.

"It is amazing that the interest from the American public is so great," he said. "I don't want to neglect my men, but I realize that these opportunities won't be here in a few months when the interest wears off."

Struecker has been a Christian since he was a teenager in Iowa. During the Battle of Mogadishu, Oct. 3-4, 1993, "God solidified my faith," he said. He tried to share that feeling with other soldiers who had been wounded or had lost friends.

The experience prompted him to turn to chaplaincy, and he completed his undergraduate degree and earned a master's at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Seven soldiers were killed and 40 wounded in Afghanistan the day before he spoke. He asked students to pray for national leaders and men and women in uniform.

"Pray every day until this operation is over," he urged.