Douglas L Verdier

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LTC, US Army

Douglas L Verdier

WKU Class of 1964

Doug Verdier, the son of a World War II veteran, was born and raised in South Central Pennsylvania. He spent his formative years surrounded by grandparents and aunts who watched him enjoy baseball, camping, and the Boy Scouts. His family moved to Bowling Green during his senior year of high school, and there began his association with Western Kentucky University. He registered for classes and at his father’s urging, he signed up for ROTC. His love for literature and flair for writing led him to becoming the Editor of the College Heights Herald. He excelled in ROTC and in February 1964 was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate with a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

He attended the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course and Airborne School. He was assigned to the Fourth Armored Division in Germany where he served in a variety of junior officer positions. After attending the Jungle Operations Course in Panama, Doug was assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. In Vietnam, he earned two Bronze Stars, one with a V Device, the Air Medal, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He earned his Bronze Star with Valor when while leading his company against a large enemy force, he exposed himself to hostile fire. He bravely led his troops to forward fighting positions and directed suppressive fire on the enemy emplacements. Doug toyed with the idea of leaving the military and going to law school, but the Army denied his request because of the need for young officers in Vietnam. He stayed and was rewarded with another tour in Vietnam after completing the Infantry Officers’ Advanced Course. This time he served as a MACV Training Advisor. He asked for and received another tour in Germany with the 1^st Armored Division as a battalion S-3 Air, s-3, and S-1 in three years. He was selected for CGSC and reassigned to Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, with a follow-on assignment to The United States Military Academy at West Point. Prior to reporting to West Point, Doug earned a master’s degree in English at Ball State University.

The Army then moved Doug and his family to Ft McClellan, Alabama for an assignment as the installation Public Affairs Officer. After two years in that assignment, he was chosen to be the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. Doug was then hired as the speech writer for the CG of FORSCOM. He travelled with the CG extensively and learned how the Army operated at the highest levels. Doug retired after twenty-two years of distinguished service. He worked for the American Red Cross in Marketing and Public Relations and later as an Assistant Manager for the Minnesota Orchestra. He currently resides in Minneapolis where he is an active volunteer and committee member with several Twin Cities non-profit organizations.