COL Richard “Rick” Carlson, USA, Retired

 

Rick had three commands in his twenty-three-year uniformed service career in the United States Army. His humble service included two combat commands as well as a Ranger Company Command. His service included a three-month rifle platoon assignment followed by a nine-month tour as a Battalion Scout Platoon Leader in the Republic of Korea. His next assignment was with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, as a Ranger Platoon Leader for two years followed by a 20-month posting as a Ranger Company Executive Officer. He served as the Commanding Officer for Chopping Charlie 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment with service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He subsequently served as Commanding officer of Attack Company 2nd Ranger Battalion and went on to serve as Commanding Officer of BATTLE FORCE 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st “Screaming Eagles” Division in Mosul Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Under his Command, Rick’s units received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Valorous Unit Award. His personal awards and decorations include: the Master Combat Infantryman’s Badge with Star (2nd award), Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart. One of Rick’s men subsequently went on the receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously. Upon completion of his career in service with the United States Army, Rick went on to serve in a non-uniformed capacity in Armenia, Albania, Uganda, Mogadishu, Somalia, Tanzania, and Nigeria.

 

A man of faith, Rick and his wife Patty today reside in the Mountains of North Georgia.