Author
Frank Hancock COL (R)
Colonel (Ret) Frank Hancock graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1972. Upon graduation Col Hancock was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. Colonel Hancock served as a rifle platoon leader, anti-tank platoon leader, and company executive officer with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany; a Company Commander at Ft Drum, New York; a Company Commander, and a Battalion Operations Officer with the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT); a Battalion Executive Officer, Brigade Operations Officer, Secretary of the General Staff, and Deputy Division Operations Officer with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii; a Battalion Commander (1-327th Inf) with the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT); and the Strategy Officer and Command Briefer for US Pacific Command in Hawaii. Colonel Hancock finished his thirty-year Army career as the Chairman of the Department of Military Strategy, Plans and Operations at the US Army War College. Upon retirement from the Army, Colonel (Ret) Hancock was the Senior Army Instructor for JROTC at Cedar Cliff High School from 2002-2018.
Colonel Hancock's civilian education includes a BS Degree in Engineering from West Point and a Masters Degree in International Studies from Salve Regina University. Colonel Hancock is Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault qualified and is a graduate of the British Army Staff College, the US Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
Colonel Hancock’s awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, and Valorous Unit Award and Bronze Arrowhead, which his battalion earned during Desert Storm. He is a "Distinguished Member” of the 327th Infantry Regiment, former holder of the "Matthew Ridgeway Leadership Chair" at the US Army War College and Veterans of Foreign War Pennsylvania State Civics Teacher of the Year for 2017.
Boots on the Ground - Gulf War
Jose Delgado and Jesus Gonzalez
These two Soldiers were honored for their efforts during the planning of the ground war during Operations Desert Shield and desert Storm. Their efforts helped minimize, and perhaps prevent, the destruction of the lead element of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on February 24, 1991 as they airlifted into Objective Cobra.
Uneasy about intelligence reports of an unoccupied trench line in their landing zone, CPT Delgado and SGT Gonzales investigated and found satellite imagery that showed activity within the trench near their unit’s landing zone. They informed their commander, LTC Frank Hancock, who requested an adjustment to the plan. The initial request for denied. However, they continued to refine their assessment and convinced LTC Hancock to return to the Brigade Headquarters where he was ultimately given approval to adjust his landing zone. On the morning of February 24th, the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry air assaulted into Objective Cobra. They were immediately engaged by over 300 Iraqi soldiers with heavy weapons. We can only imagine what would have happened if Delgado and Gonzalez had simply accepted the assessment from higher headquarters. In all likelihood, the Soldiers of the 1/327 Infantry would have suffered significant casualties upon landing so near a large and well-armed foe.
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