[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COLONEL RUSSELL D. GOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay public 
tribute to Colonel Russell D. Gold, an exemplary soldier and citizen 
from my congressional district. Colonel Gold recently announced his 
retirement as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, 
Kentucky.
  A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Colonel Gold was first 
commissioned through ROTC as a Distinguished Military Student from The 
Citadel, beginning his military career as a Tank Platoon Leader, then 
Executive Officer with the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North 
Carolina. After completion of the Armor Officer Advance Course, he 
commanded Company B, 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, 2d Infantry Division, at 
Camp Casey, Korea. Upon completion of command, he served as a Small 
Group Instructor in the Armor Officer Advance Course, then, Executive 
Officer of the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
  From 1993 through 1995, Colonel Gold was assigned to the First 
Armored Division in Germany, where he served as the Battalion S-3 and 
Battalion Executive Officer with the 2d Battalion, 67th Armor, then as 
the Brigade S-3 for the First Brigade, 1st Armor Division. From 1995-
1997, Colonel Gold was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 
Washington, DC, where he served in the J-8 as Chief, War-Game Exercise 
Branch. Colonel Gold then commanded the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, 4th 
Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. Following battalion command, 
Colonel Gold served as the III Corps Secretary of the General Staff, 
then after graduating from the Army War College, became the Director of 
Combat Developments at Fort Knox.
  Colonel Gold commanded the 3d Brigade Combat Team (Iraq), 1st Armored 
Division, of Fort Riley, Kansas, from June 2002 to June 2004 before 
being assigned as Chief of Staff of the Armor Center on July 30, 2004.
  Colonel Gold's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit 
award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 
Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement 
Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Iraqi 
Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense 
Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service 
Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge. Colonel Gold will also be awarded 
the Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony.
  It is my great privilege to recognize Colonel Gold today, before the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives, for his lifelong example of 
leadership and service. His unique achievements and dedication to the 
men and women of the U.S. Army make him an outstanding American worthy 
of our collective honor and respect.

                          ____________________