MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- He was with a few fellow officers, his wife and friends as he was awarded a Legion of Merit here Feb. 3, for his exceptionally meritorious conduct as he performed his duties of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 Operations.
Colonel Glenn T. Starnes’ leadership and knowledge of his job and what needed to be done, helped him as he led over 30,000 troops in combat operations. He was also vital in setting up and carrying out operations that led to the successful training, equipping and employing of two Iraqi Army Divisions.
“Two MEF forward benefited greatly from his great skills as a Marine and also from his work ethic,” explained Major Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force forward.
Starnes moved from being a battalion commander with 10th Marine Regiment to helping lead over 30,000 troops. He used his leadership skills to move himself into his new position and successfully complete all the tasks he was given.
“The general spoke a lot of good words about me, because it was the Marines and sailors and joint forces that did all the hard work and allowed me to take over,” Starnes explained.
In the beginning of his time in the new leadership position, the MEF wanted more direction and ideas of where they were going to head with their deployment, said Johnson. Taking his knowledge of the battlefield and applying it to a bigger scenario, Starnes took control and set out a plan for his troops and fellow leaders.
“He was one of the first to come forward and put together the bulk of the plan and schemes for us,” Johnson explained.
Once Starnes had taken on the direction for the deployment, he began the planning and logistics for what they were going to be taking over. He ensured that II MEF was going to be completely ready for everything they would encounter.
“All of these details fell largely to him, he was the guy on the staff who worked with all the other sections to make it all happen when it needed to happen,” Johnson stated.
Starnes has returned home safely and is in the process of redeploying his Marines back home to see their families after a long deployment.
Starnes and the Marines of II MEF combined together to make a fighting force in their operating area of Iraq. They put together all their training and united it with the knowledge of the local Iraqi Security Forces to help accomplish the missions at hand as they were collectively fighting the Global War on Terrorism.