Columbia native returns home after 3 decades of Army service

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

11.18.2011

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

COLUMBIA, S.C. - After 33 years of service, retired Army Col. Hodges Anthony, Third Army deputy chief of staff, and his family have returned home to Columbia, S.C.

Many things have changed since he first left Columbia, S.C., in 1978. The University of South Carolina enrollment has doubled, Benedict College has expanded and Columbia, Richland County’s population has increased by over 110,000 people, but home is still home.

“My roots are here,” Anthony said. “I always knew I would return.”

After graduating from Columbia High School in 1978, he entered the Army in August 1978 as a private first class in the Military Police Corps. After completing his enlistment, he entered ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1983 receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and selected to serve in Army Aviation. He also earned a Master’s of Science in Public Administration, Central Michigan, University and a Master’s of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle, Pa.

Anthony served with the Third Army for more than five years. As the deputy chief of staff, he was responsible for U.S. Army Central, Combined Forces Land Component Command and Third Army's Forward Command Post at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait from 2009 to 2010 and then again at the Main Command Post from 2010 to 2011. His duties included staff synchronization across an Army Service Component Command of more than 400 officers and noncommissioned officers and synchronized their actions with the stateside based Main Command Post staff of more than 800 personnel.

As an Army aviator, he was dual rated flying airplanes and helicopters with over 3,600 hours spent in the cockpit.

“I flew utility helicopters [UH-60 Black Hawks] in combat and C-12 airplanes in garrison,” said Anthony.

Anthony served in numerous key leadership positions and several combat operations such as, Desert Shield/Storm with the 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; Bosnia with the 18th Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., and supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operations Enduring Freedom with Third Army, at Fort McPherson, Ga., and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

“During the 1990s leading up to Desert Storm, Hodges was a great mentor to me. I was a lieutenant then and he took me under his wing,” said Col. Shane Kimbrough, astronaut, NASA Detachment, Space and Missile Defense Command.

Kimbrough went on to say that Anthony always had a great attitude. Over the years, Kimbrough as a leader himself now has remembered how important it is to remain positive and has drawn from that quality.

John “Mark” Sexton, an International Military Affairs Joint Strategic planner in Third Army also remembers Anthony as a great soldier and leader.

“We served as majors together at Fort Bragg from 2000 to 2001 in 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division and then again in 2006 with the Third Army. I most remember the strong dedication he had to making sure the soldiers had the best equipment available to accomplish the missions that they were assigned. We worked together on upgrading much of the refueling equipment for the aviation brigade … His leadership and focus on that specific area resulted in a significant increase in the capabilities of the entire brigade,” said Sexton.

During combat operations in Desert Storm, Anthony was an Assistant Battalion S3 of a general support aviation battalion of the 24th Infantry Division. He was responsible for flight operations, managing flights across the battlespace and the flying hour program, missions, operations planning and coordination of all aircraft missions. He assisted the S3 in preparation of estimates, plans, orders, reports and correspondence.

“My most memorable moment of Desert Storm was winning the battle against the Iraqis,” said Anthony.

Anthony attributes his values and work ethics from his mother, Gladys Carter, now deceased. She single handedly raised five children, and taught them all that hard work pays off.

“The things she taught me have resonated which have guided me throughout my life and career and I will cherish forever and will pass on,” Anthony said.

Anthony’s family includes his wife, Faye, an Army lieutenant colonel stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., who is also a Columbia native. He also has a son, Hodges (Jr.), and a daughter, Bria, who is a student at Clemson University.

Anthony said he looks forward to spending quality time with family and friends and assist in raising his grandchildren.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2011
• Date Posted: 11.18.2011 17:59
• Story ID: 80246
• Location: COLUMBIA, SC, US