Colonel Jamie Robert Hendrix (USA, Ret.) died June 9, 2014, under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by his family, friends and former soldiers. He was born in Summit (now Twin City), Georgia on July 26, 1930, son of Jamie Hendrix and Lena Sconyers Hendrix. Following graduation from Metter High School in Metter, GA, he enrolled at The Citadel in Charleston, SC and graduated in 1951 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Colonel Hendrix earned his master’s degree from Georgia Southern University and attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. He fought as an infantry officer in the United States Army in Korea, Laos, India and Vietnam. Colonel Hendrix was respected, admired and dearly loved by his troops, who gave him the name, Grizzly. He was described as an all- American hero because of his courage and leadership. His loyalty and love of country was evident to all who met him and had the privilege of serving under his command. He cared deeply for his men and they felt the same about their beloved Grizzly. The Colonel’s distinguished military career spanned over thirty years, which included fighting in the Korean War and four separate combat tours during the Vietnam War (two in Laos and two in Vietnam). He served as aide- de- camp to General Lemuel Mathewson and was a valued military strategist. As a Green Beret, he helped organize Special Forces operations in India when China invaded Tibet. In 1963, he was assigned to the Pentagon as an operations officer and was part of a team that briefed the Secretary of State and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was actually in the middle of a briefing when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and was charged with informing the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Grizzly was a soldier’s soldier and was at his best commanding his troops during combat. He often stated that the most memorable year of his service was when he was Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam from November 1967 until November 1968. Grizzly and his men were involved in some of the most intense fighting near Dak To in the Central Highlands. When President Lyndon B. Johnson toured Vietnam, Colonel Hendrix was chosen to meet with him representing 18,000 troops. As a Green Beret stationed in Bad Tolz, Germany, he served as the commander of all Special Forces in Europe in the early 1970s. Some of the Colonel’s numerous decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster & Valor Device, Combat Infantry Badge Second Award, Air Medal with 1st – 15th Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Colors with Palm and Gold Star, , Legion of Merit, Master Parachutist Badge, Presidential Emblem, Meritorious Unit Emblem, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, Vietnam Staff Service Medal, Six Overseas Service Bars, Vietnam Civil Actions Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Parachutist Badge, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Colonel Hendrix is survived by his wife, Nedra Sharpe Hendrix, of Tybee Island, GA; his sister, Bettye Hendrix Fabris, of Athens, GA; his nephews and nieces, Robert and Patti Fabris of Houston, TX, and Jon and Marcy Fabris of Bloomington, IN; his great- nephews and nieces, Stratton Fabris of Houston, TX, Mary- Hendrix Fabris Conway of Jackson, MS, Mallie Fabris of Houston, TX, and Jackson Fabris and Michael Fabris of Bloomington, IN; his stepdaughters, Lisa McKenzie of Savannah, Cindy Groover of Savannah, and Leslie McKenzie of Savannah; his step- grandchildren, Christopher Hudson of Pittsburg, PA, Michael Groover of Savannah, Suzanne Melton of Austin, TX, and Amber Brinson of Savannah; his step- great- grandchildren Keller Groover, Evan Groover, and Fiona Hudson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jamie and Lena Hendrix, and his sister, Hilda Elizabeth Hendrix. The family wishes to thank the soldiers who traveled great distances during the Colonel’s last days to share stories of heroism. It was an indescribable gift for Grizzly to hear first- hand how his men felt about him. Much gratitude is expressed to his many dear friends, Dr. Gaskin, Sundae Caf , and the staffs at Oceanside Nursing & Rehab Center and Hospice Savannah for the countless kindnesses shown to the Colonel. Special appreciation is expressed to Jim Heflin and Les Sarge White for their friendship and tireless devotion. A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held on July 11 at 10:00 am at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel, (4605 Highway 80 E., Savannah) with a reception to immediately follow at the American Legion (10 Veterans Drive, Tybee Island). The Colonel will be buried in the Hendrix family section of the Old Canoochee Cemetery in Emmanuel County at a family internment on July 12 at 10:00. Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News July 6, 2014 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.
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