Glen A. Doherty: The Adventurer Who Ran Toward the Sound of Gunfire

Glen A. Doherty
The Adventurer Who Ran Toward the Sound of Gunfire

Name: Glen Anthony Doherty
Branch: USN, CIA Contractor
Unit: SEAL Team THREE & SEVEN, CIA Global Response Staff (GRS)
Station Assigned: Benghazi, Libya
Hometown: Winchester, Massachusetts
Family: Glen A. Doherty is survived by his parents, Bernard "Ben" and Barbara Doherty, his brother, Greg Doherty, his sister, Kate Quigley, his nieces and nephews, and a vast network of devoted friends.
Fallen on: September 12, 2012

Glen Anthony Doherty was more than a warrior; he was a living embodiment of the American spirit of service and adventure. Born on July 10, 1970, Glen was known by his vast network of friends as a selfless, enthusiastic man who lived life to the absolute fullest. Before his distinguished military career, Glen was a relentless adventurer who excelled at everything he touched: he was a skilled boxer, competitive wrestler, private pilot, triathlete, surfer, backcountry skier, and white-water rafting guide. His friends remember a man who was always there to help a buddy, a genuine, selfless soul who ran toward danger and toward the call of service.

Glen's commitment to protecting freedom began when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1995. He successfully completed the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, earning his Trident. A nine-year veteran of the Navy, he served with distinction in SEAL Team THREE and SEAL Team SEVEN, specializing as both a sniper and a combat paramedic. His heroism was recognized during his deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including a Bronze Star with Valor for his extraordinary actions in securing a crucial oil terminal in the northern Arabian Gulf.

After leaving the Navy in 2004, Glen transitioned to the CIA, where he continued to serve his country as a protective officer on the Global Response Staff (GRS). He deployed fourteen times with the CIA, bringing his elite skillset and unwavering dedication to counter-terrorism missions across the globe.

Glen's life was tragically cut short while displaying the ultimate act of courage. On the evening of September 11, 2012, when the U.S. Special Mission Compound in Benghazi, Libya, came under terrorist attack, Glen was at the nearby CIA Annex. Without hesitation, he was part of the quick reaction force that mobilized to reinforce the mission and evacuate staff. Glen and his team successfully brought approximately 30 Americans to the relative safety of the Annex.

In the early morning hours of September 12, the Annex came under heavy mortar fire. Learning that his friend and fellow former SEAL, Tyrone S. Woods, was defending the compound from the rooftop, Glen immediately moved to join him. True to his nature, he ran toward the sound of the fighting to protect his teammates and the Americans inside. Glen and Tyrone were killed when a mortar round landed near their position on the roof. They gave their lives defending freedom and protecting their countrymen. For his extraordinary contributions, Glen was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

To learn more about Glen A. Doherty and other fallen heroes, please visit:

On behalf of myself and everyone at Bonefrog Coffee, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family of Glen A. Doherty who gave his life for our country. Words cannot capture the weight of this loss or the gratitude we feel for his courage and sacrifice. He was more than a warrior—he was a brother, a patriot, and a man whose dedication to protecting our freedom will forever inspire us. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in our hearts and in the values we strive to uphold. To his family, we share in your grief and stand with you, honoring his legacy with unwavering respect and gratitude.

Long Live The Brotherhood! Tim Cruickshank LCDR, USN (SEAL) Ret. and the Bonefrog Coffee Team

 

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