[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 10751] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING COLONEL RUSSELL D. GOLD ______ HON. RON LEWIS of kentucky in the house of representatives Friday, June 9, 2006 Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay public tribute to Colonel Russell D. Gold, an exemplary soldier and citizen from my congressional district. Colonel Gold recently announced his retirement as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky. A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Colonel Gold was first commissioned through ROTC as a Distinguished Military Student from The Citadel, beginning his military career as a Tank Platoon Leader, then Executive Officer with the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After completion of the Armor Officer Advance Course, he commanded Company B, 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, 2d Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea. Upon completion of command, he served as a Small Group Instructor in the Armor Officer Advance Course, then, Executive Officer of the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From 1993 through 1995, Colonel Gold was assigned to the First Armored Division in Germany, where he served as the Battalion S-3 and Battalion Executive Officer with the 2d Battalion, 67th Armor, then as the Brigade S-3 for the First Brigade, 1st Armor Division. From 1995- 1997, Colonel Gold was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC, where he served in the J-8 as Chief, War-Game Exercise Branch. Colonel Gold then commanded the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. Following battalion command, Colonel Gold served as the III Corps Secretary of the General Staff, then after graduating from the Army War College, became the Director of Combat Developments at Fort Knox. Colonel Gold commanded the 3d Brigade Combat Team (Iraq), 1st Armored Division, of Fort Riley, Kansas, from June 2002 to June 2004 before being assigned as Chief of Staff of the Armor Center on July 30, 2004. Colonel Gold's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge. Colonel Gold will also be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony. It is my great privilege to recognize Colonel Gold today, before the entire U.S. House of Representatives, for his lifelong example of leadership and service. His unique achievements and dedication to the men and women of the U.S. Army make him an outstanding American worthy of our collective honor and respect. ____________________