[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF COLONEL LARRY D. RUGGLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very 
distinguished military leader who is retiring after 34 years of service 
to this country. I rise today to congratulate Colonel Larry D. Ruggley 
on his retirement, thank him for his dedication to our country and 
acknowledge the important leadership role he has played in the United 
States Army.
  A little more than 3 years ago, Colonel Ruggley assumed command of 
the United States Army Garrison at Fort Campbell, a portion of which I 
am proud to represent in the Congress. Colonel Ruggley and I have 
worked closely together on numerous occasions during his service at 
Fort Campbell, and I am very appreciative of his understanding of the 
mission of the Army, its role in protecting our country and the needs 
of each man and woman who wears the uniform of the United States Army. 
Colonel Ruggley's contributions have been immensely valuable.
  Colonel Ruggley's long and impressive career began in 1971 when he 
was an enlisted soldier in the Army Security Agency. He graduated as 
the Distinguished Military Graduate from Ohio University and was 
commissioned in 1978 as an Infantry Officer, then served his first 
assignment at Berlin Brigade, Germany. He went on to complete numerous 
other leadership assignments: 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group 
(Airborne); 7th Infantry Division (Light); 1st Special Warfare Training 
Group and D Company, 1st Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Special 
Operations Command Europe, Bosnia, and 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special 
Forces Group (Airborne).
  His unit participated in the African Crisis Response Initiative in 
Malawi and Uganda and other missions in Africa. After command, he 
became the Deputy Director of Training and Doctrine and then Chief of 
Staff of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School until 
2000. After completing the Army War College, Colonel Ruggley was 
assigned to the Army Special Operations Command as the Deputy Chief of 
Staff for Personnel from 2001-2003, after which he became Garrison 
Commander at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division. During 
his 3-year tenure he oversaw superb support during a tumultuous time 
for the 101st Airborne Division as they redeployed from war, 
transformed and redeployed to Iraq last year.
  Colonel Ruggley's many awards and decorations include the Legion of 
Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/
4OLC, Joint Service Commendation Medal w/1OLC, Army Commendation Medal 
w/1OLC, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal 3/OLC, 
Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good 
Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal 1/
OLC, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal. He 
also has been awarded the Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab, is a 
Master Parachutist, HALO Parachutist, and holds the Expert Infantryman 
Badge. He completed a Masters Degree in Administration from Central 
Michigan University and received a Masters Degree in Military Studies 
while attending the War College.
  Mr. Speaker, Colonel Ruggley will now retire from his service in the 
United States Army, and Colonel Frederick W. Swope will assume the 
responsibility of Garrison Commander. I hope you and our colleagues 
will join me in welcoming Colonel Swope to his new post and recognizing 
the accomplished and distinguished service of Colonel Larry Ruggley, an 
outstanding military hero, a proven American patriot and my friend. We 
thank him for all he has done for his country and wish him, his wife 
Marie and their four children, all the best as Colonel Ruggley enters 
this new phase of his life.

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