Major General Gary Lynn Harrell (June 1, 1951 – February 14, 2023) was a United States Army general. He participated in numerous combat operations including Operation Just Cause in 1989, the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Military career Harrell earned his commission as an Infantry officer through East Tennessee State University's Army ROTC program in 1973 and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, as a rifle platoon leader and as an anti-tank platoon leader. In 1977, after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. In 1980 Harrell served as a company commander in the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Harrell participated in the invasion of Grenada and afterwards served with the 10th Special Forces Group. In 1985 Harrell volunteered for and completed a specialized selection and operator training course for assignment to the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, publicly known as Delta Force, at Fort Bragg. He served at this unit as Troop Commander and participated in Operation Just Cause. Later on Harrell was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command as operations officer and participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.MG Gary Harrell , .Task Force Dagger Foundation.
In 1992, Harrell returned to Fort Bragg and took command of C Squadron of Delta Force and participated in combat operations during Operation Gothic Serpent including the Battle of Mogadishu. In October 1993 he was severely wounded by enemy mortar fire. After graduating from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in June 1995, Harrell was assigned as the Deputy Commander of Delta Force and commanded the unit from July 1998 to July 2000.Sean Naylor, SEAL Team 6 and a Man Left for Dead: A Grainy Picture of Valor, The New York Times, August 27, 2016. Afterwards he was appointed the Director, Joint Security Directorate, United States Central Command from 2000 to 2002. During the War in Afghanistan, he commanded Special Forces Task Force Bowie and was the Assistant Division Commander for the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Anaconda. From 2003 to 2005 Harrell was assigned as commanding general, Special Operations Command Central. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Harrell commanded special operations forces that were responsible for combat operations to prevent Scud missiles from being launched from Western Iraq and for stability operations in Northern Iraq. He last served as the Deputy Commanding General of the Army Special Operations Command. He retired in 2008.
Death Harrell died from glioblastoma on February 14, 2023, at the age of 71.Memorial Service, February 19, 2023
Awards and decorations Combat Infantryman BadgeMaster Parachutist Badge with one Combat Jump DeviceMilitary Freefall Jumpmaster Badge with Special Operations Command Central background trimmingPathfinder BadgeScuba Diver InsigniaCanadian Jump Wings (non-operational)Special Forces TabRanger tabUnited States Army Special Operations Command Combat Service Identification BadgeSpecial Forces Distinctive Unit InsigniaOverseas Service Bars Defense Distinguished Service MedalArmy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal with Valor device and oak leaf clusterPurple HeartDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusterAir MedalArmy Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clustersJoint Service Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterValorous Unit Award with oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medal with two bronze service starsArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device and service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalArmy Service RibbonArmy Overseas Service RibbonNATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaMultinational Force and Observers MedalKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
References
Sources Boykin, William G., and Lynn Vincent. Never Surrender: a Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom. Faith Words, 2011. Tucker, Spencer. The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: the United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. ABC-CLIO, 2010.