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Volume 41, Issue 10

February 17, 2004

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February 17, 2004

9-11 attacks call teacher to combat
Sheila Snodgrass
Contributing Writer

Hal Engstrom was an ordinary schoolteacher at Cordova Middle School, teaching sixth grade language arts.
He loved his career, knowing that he was contributing to society by educating America’s youth. But on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, America fell under attack and Engstrom knew that there was more he had to do.
“ Are you sure you’re doing enough to help America?” he asked himself regularly. Each time, he knew that he had to take action.
Despite already being in his 30s, Engstrom decided to enlist in the Army to defend his country.
Prepared for a debate, Engstrom went home to tell his wife, Beverly, his plans. “OK, I understand,” was her response. Beverly understood very well where her husband’s sense of pride in his country came from; her father had served 20 years in the Air Force and she supported his decision fully.
Engstrom quit his teaching job and was sworn into the Army in October 2001, one day before his 34th birthday. Engstrom earned the nickname “Teach” in boot camp, being almost twice the age of his fellow soldiers in training.
Engstrom went on to intelligence training, becoming a junior intelligence analyst. Engstrom was originally to be sent to South Korea, but his departure was postponed due to family reasons. He was reassigned to Texas and was sent to Iraq in March 2002, joining up with Alpha Company, 104th Military Intelligence Battalion, whose job it was to provide the Fourth Infantry Division with intelligence data.
Cpl. Engstrom was paired with Lt. Angela Santana and given the mission to make a chart and find crucial connections in order to lead the Fourth Infantry Division to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Engstrom and Santana worked 12-hour shifts, surviving on one meal a day for nine long months. The two worked on creating a family tree of sorts, connecting Saddam Hussein and his circle of followers and members of his regime. The nicknamed “Mongo Link” chart is a 46-inch-by-42-inch color-coded chart with more than 300 names on it, with Hussein at the center. The chart began as just four names torn from the pages of a small green notebook that Maj. Stan Murphy gave to the two junior intelligence analysts.
The break came when a man that detainees had identified as a financer of the resistance, known only as “the source,” was arrested in Baghdad. After mapping his ties to Hussein, it was clear that “the source” was no ordinary suspect and they alerted the Fourth Infantry to find him. After his arrest, it was apparent he had information and he was interrogated. Saddam Hussein was captured the very next day.
After 10 months of serving in Iraq, Cpl. Hal Engstrom returned to his home state of Arizona for two weeks leave. On Feb. 3, Engstrom visited the Arizona House of Representatives and the MCC campus to share his experiences. The East Valley Republican Assembly also presented Corporal Engstrom with the Paul Revere Liberty Award that evening for all of his dedicated service. During his time in Arizona, Engstrom also had an opportunity to visit his students At Cordova Middle School.
“ I definitely plan on returning to teaching as soon as I return from duty,” says Engstrom.
After his leave, Engstrom went back to Iraq. Though Hussein has been captured, there are many others on the chart that are still unaccounted for.
“We have to keep going until the mission is completed,” said Engstrom.
Engstrom says that the Iraqi people have a

Sheila Snodgrass
Contributing Writer
Hal Engstrom was an ordinary schoolteacher at Cordova Middle School, teaching sixth grade language arts.
He loved his career, knowing that he was contributing to society by educating America’s youth. But on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, America fell under attack and Engstrom knew that there was more he had to do.
“ Are you sure you’re doing enough to help America?” he asked himself regularly. Each time, he knew that he had to take action.
Despite already being in his 30s, Engstrom decided to enlist in the Army to defend his country.
Prepared for a debate, Engstrom went home to tell his wife, Beverly, his plans. “OK, I understand,” was her response. Beverly understood very well where her husband’s sense of pride in his country came from; her father had served 20 years in the Air Force and she supported his decision fully.
Engstrom quit his teaching job and was sworn into the Army in October 2001, one day before his 34th birthday. Engstrom earned the nickname “Teach” in boot camp, being almost twice the age of his fellow soldiers in training.
Engstrom went on to intelligence training, becoming a junior intelligence analyst. Engstrom was originally to be sent to South Korea, but his departure was postponed due to family reasons. He was reassigned to Texas and was sent to Iraq in March 2002, joining up with Alpha Company, 104th Military Intelligence Battalion, whose job it was to provide the Fourth Infantry Division with intelligence data.
Cpl. Engstrom was paired with Lt. Angela Santana and given the mission to make a chart and find crucial connections in order to lead the Fourth Infantry Division to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Engstrom and Santana worked 12-hour shifts, surviving on one meal a day for nine long months. The two worked on creating a family tree of sorts, connecting Saddam Hussein and his circle of followers and members of his regime. The nicknamed “Mongo Link” chart is a 46-inch-by-42-inch color-coded chart with more than 300 names on it, with Hussein at the center. The chart began as just four names torn from the pages of a small green notebook that Maj. Stan Murphy gave to the two junior intelligence analysts.
The break came when a man that detainees had identified as a financer of the resistance, known only as “the source,” was arrested in Baghdad. After mapping his ties to Hussein, it was clear that “the source” was no ordinary suspect and they alerted the Fourth Infantry to find him. After his arrest, it was apparent he had information and he was interrogated. Saddam Hussein was captured the very next day.
After 10 months of serving in Iraq, Cpl. Hal Engstrom returned to his home state of Arizona for two weeks leave. On Feb. 3, Engstrom visited the Arizona House of Representatives and the MCC campus to share his experiences. The East Valley Republican Assembly also presented Corporal Engstrom with the Paul Revere Liberty Award that evening for all of his dedicated service. During his time in Arizona, Engstrom also had an opportunity to visit his students At Cordova Middle School.
“ I definitely plan on returning to teaching as soon as I return from duty,” says Engstrom.
After his leave, Engstrom went back to Iraq. Though Hussein has been captured, there are many others on the chart that are still unaccounted for.
“We have to keep going until the mission is completed,” said Engstrom.
Engstrom says that the Iraqi people have always been very appreciative to the U.S. troops, but now with Hussein captured they no longer fear retaliation when expressing their gratitude. He is proud seeing the Iraqi people one step closer to the freedom that we are privileged to have in the United States.
Although he has often been referred to as a hero, Engstrom feels that he is a patriot and that he was only doing his duty as an American citizen.
“ Patriotism is relative to a lot of people, but at least appreciate the source of it and the nature of it. Just don’t take it for granted. It’s valuable and it’s costly,” said Engstrom as he prepared to return to Iraq.