| Fred Scruggs |
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Colonel Hugh Fredrick (Fred) Scruggs was born in High Point, Kentucky on March 13, 1944. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1916 and from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1965. Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. After attending Airborne and Ranger Schools, Fred was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division during the war in Vietnam. Returning to the United States, he was a Ranger Instructor at the Mountain Ranger Camp at Camp Merrill. During a second tour in Vietnam, Fred commanded a company in combat with the 1st Infantry Division. Fred attended the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1973 to launch a brilliant career as a Special Forces operator. He served as B-detachment Executive Officer, Battalion S-1, Battalion S-3, and Battalion Executive Officer in the 7th Special Forces Group. Subsequently, he served as Commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group in Panama. After serving as Director of Combat Development for the JFK Warfare Center and School, Colonel Scruggs was selected to command the elite 7th Special Forces Group. In 1991, he was chosen as Commander Special Operations Command for Southern Command. These are the highlights of a long and exemplary career. Fred served with distinction in other positions of ever-increasing responsibility. Prior to retirement in 1995, after 30 years of devotion to his country, he served as Commander U.S. Military Group, Caracas, Venezuela. A partial list of Colonel Scruggs many awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Services Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab and Master Parachutist Badge. In addition to his degree from the U.S. Military Academy, Fred held a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters Degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. He also graduated from the Army War College and Command and General Staff College. After retiring from the Army, Fred became the Executive Director, ManTech Telecommunications and Information Systems Corporation, managing their contracts in Latin American. Fred was the devoted husband of his wife, Sandee, and proud father of Son, Ricky and daughter, Jennifer. He had two grandchildren, Hugh and Elly. Colonel Fred Scruggs' long and distinguished career of selfless service and devotion to duty make him eminently worthy of being honored as a Fallen Ranger. Respectfully submitted by: |
