Camp Gannon
Encyclopedia
Camp Gannon is a United States Marine Corps
military base in Iraq
.
Situated near the border between Iraq
and Syria
, Camp Gannon is an abandoned warehouse complex in Husaybah
, an area traditionally used by smugglers between the two countries.
In April 2005, the camp repelled an organized attack of Iraqi insurgents (estimated numbers between 40 and 100) driving several vehicles full of gunmen, utilizing three explosive devices and the use of a fire truck
as an attack vehicle.
The camp was named in honor of Major Richard J. Gannon, commanding officer of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Major Gannon was awarded the Silver Star
after being killed in action on April 17, 2004, attempting to save three members of his company.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
military base in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
Situated near the border between Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Camp Gannon is an abandoned warehouse complex in Husaybah
Husaybah
Husaybah is an Iraqi city on the Euphrates river in Al-Anbar province, close to the Syrian border....
, an area traditionally used by smugglers between the two countries.
In April 2005, the camp repelled an organized attack of Iraqi insurgents (estimated numbers between 40 and 100) driving several vehicles full of gunmen, utilizing three explosive devices and the use of a fire truck
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
as an attack vehicle.
The camp was named in honor of Major Richard J. Gannon, commanding officer of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Major Gannon was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
after being killed in action on April 17, 2004, attempting to save three members of his company.