Country music star Lee Greenwood recounted a harrowing experience in Panama where he and his band came under enemy fire while entertaining U.S. troops during Operation Just Cause. The mission, which began in December 1989, aimed to remove Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
Greenwood, known for his patriotic anthem "God Bless the U.S.A.," shared the story on the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. He recalled then-President George H.W. Bush personally asking him to bring his band to Panama to boost troop morale.
"I’m going to send you to Panama,” Greenwood recalled Bush telling him. “Take your band down there. I’ve already taken out the dependents. We’re going to take [Noriega] out… I want you to entertain our troops.”
After the band departed via helicopter, Greenwood was given a letter from President Bush intended for Marines stationed deep in the jungle. While traveling to deliver the letter, the jeep he was riding in was ambushed.
“So, the band’s gone. I jump in a jeep with a sergeant and we… come under fire and the bullets are whizzing through the jeep,” Greenwood said. He stated that he was not hit, but the sergeant driving was wounded when a bullet severed his index finger.
Greenwood managed to reach the Marine compound, where he showed the troops the location of the enemy forces. The Marines then engaged and neutralized the combatants.
Years later, the singer encountered the same driver backstage after a concert in Ohio. The reunion brought back the intensity of the moment they nearly lost their lives. "I said, 'Is he missing a finger?' Greenwood said. 'He said, 'Yes.' I came out, and we hugged each other, you know, for the moment that we could have both been killed."
Greenwood emphasized that such experiences have been a consistent part of his career, connecting him deeply with military service members. He described addressing 150 Marines about to deploy to combat zones in extreme heat, highlighting his pride in his patriotic work.
His wife, Kimberly Greenwood, noted that their relationship also began through military service, particularly USO tours, underscoring their shared commitment to patriotism. "Really, our beginning of our relationship started with patriotism and serving our military," she said. "And that’s what we’ve done for our entire time together."
Greenwood reiterated that "God Bless the U.S.A." was written solely out of love for the country and respect for those who have served it. The full interview is available on various podcast platforms.