Major Ronny Johnson deployed to Kuwait as the commander of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry to support Operation Desert Spring in October 2002. He thought he was taking his unit for six months, but all that changed when forces started flowing into theater for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He crossed the line of departure with the lead combat units and was engaged in close combat on several occasions. His company destroyed several enemy tanks, personnel carriers and supply vehicles. He conducted the breaching operation for the defensive perimeter around Baghdad that allowed the first forces to enter the city. When his company entered the city, they came under heavy enemy fire. He ended the day securing the roadway in front of Saddam's Presidential Palace.

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