Today Wednesday, December 22, 2010 marks the 100th Birthday of Col. Russell O. Fudge of Brownwood.  He is a member of Brownwood’s VFW Post 3278.  Col. Fudge is retired from our US Army and the former Director of the General Douglas Mc Arthur Academy of Freedom, a position he held for 17 years following his retirement as a full Colonel, Regular Army, from the faculty of the U.S. Army War College.

Col. Fudge, a Pacific War Veteran, was awarded the Commemorative VJ Day Medal by the VFW Post 3278. The ceremony was held on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at the Songbird Lodge in Brownwood.

Colonel Fudge was in the Division Staff at the creation of the 20th Armored Division. He was Chief of Staff of Anguar Garrison Forces, Pacific Theater, WWII.  He was the Army Deputy at the surrender of the Bonin Islands; Theater Staff of Mid-Pacific Army Theater Command; He served five years with the Pentagon Staff; Chief First Army Field Training Team to Turkey; Commander, Combat Command 40th Armored Division at Fort Hood; Theater Staff based in Japan of Joint Army-Army Air Force and Pacific Theater Command.

Col. Fudge is the father of Jane Masters and the father-in-Law of James Masters of Brownwood. He also has a son John with his wife Shirley Fudge, his daughter Ann Fudge of Ft. Worth and 3 Grand Children Jason Rinehart, Jan E. Masters, and Jennifer V. Brown (Masters). He is currently a resident of Songbird Lodge.

Pictured above (left to right) are:  Tom Denison, retired Sergeant First Class, US Army and Master at Arms; Todd Powell retired Corporal, US Marines and is the Junior Vice Commander; Colonel Fudge; Jane Masters, Major, Retired US Army Reserves; and James Masters, LTC, Retired US Army during the medal ceremony.