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Few men are privileged to serve their country and their fellow men through distinguished service in two distinctive careers. Verne Donald Mudge was one of these few. As a career officer in the United States Army for 25 years, Verne served his country during the difficult years between two world wars and during the critical years of the Pacific phase of World War II. As a member of the professional staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee for nine years, Verne devoted himself to the consideration of the post-war problems of his country with the same skill, insight, thoroughness, and dedication that characterized his military career.</div>
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The greater part of his military career was spent in the service of the First Cavalry Division. Following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1920, he attended Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas, and soon after joined the First Cavalry Division which he served faithfully until, as Major General in command of the Division, he was wounded in the fighting near Manila in 1945.</div>
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During these years the First Cavalry Division underwent important changes. The modern, efficient, flexible Division which served with such distinction in the Pacific in World War II was very different from the Division of the 1920’s. So little was known of these changes by the general public that news reporters found it necessary to add the word “mechanized”, “dismounted”, "amphibious” whenever referring to the Cavalry Division. During these years of reorganization Verne was alternately attending school—Command and Staff School, War College—and putting his training to practical use in the Division.</div>
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It is interesting to note that Verne began and ended his military career under General Douglas MacArthur. Brigadier General MacArthur was Superintendent and Commandant at the United States Military Academy when Verne was graduated in 1920. Twenty-four years later General MacArthur was Allied Southwest Pacific Commander in Chief when the First Cavalry Division, under Verne's command, made the spectacular drive to Manila.</div>
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Between these two events came years of careful training and devoted service. The importance of these years is summarized by Chaplain Donald F. Kingsley in these words.</div>
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“As one of the small band of hard-core career officers who practiced and perfected the profession of arms during the bitter, lean years that spanned the interim between two world wars, Verne gave himself unstintingly to the cause of preparedness and the national security. In so doing he pitted his skill, his self dedication, his courage, his vision against the inertia of a disheartening public indifference and the seemingly deliberate blindness of a war-weary America which had turned its back upon the realities of world developments and had sought to banish from its thinking the possibility of ’another war’ It would be impossible to estimate either the extent of his personal contribution to victory in World War II or the number of lives that were saved as the result of his years of disciplined devotion to duty, of command responsibility, of study, of planning, and of combat leadership.”</div>
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<em>(In Memoriam, Verne D. Mudge, 1 February 1957)</em></div>
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Verne’s military career was cut short when he was wounded on February 28, 1945. Following the dramatic race to Manila and the freeing of the 3,700 internees at Santo Tomas University, the First Cavalry Division, under Verne’s command, moved on toward the summer capital of Baguio. Northeast of Manila, Verne was severely wounded by a grenade.</div>
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From early days in West Point through his entire military career Verne was known for his devotion to democracy and humanity. He accepted as natural the increasing responsibilities placed upon him and sought always to discharge them honorably. He was often characterized as a front-line General. His courage and judgment earned for him the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service Medal.</div>
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After recovery from his wounds, Verne joined, and for a time was director of, the professional staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Thus he began his second career, his civilian career, in 1946. As questions relating to selective service and military training occurred in the Senate, Verne was consulted. He spent long hours in intensive research and provided detailed and exact factual data needed for the careful consideration of legislation. Because he could explain details clearly and could see to the heart of a complex and difficult problem, he was consulted constantly by members of the Senate. Because of his thorough knowledge and his sound judgment, his advice had great weight. Thus, for nine years he devoted his time and his unusual talents to the consideration of problems of post-war legislation.</div>
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At the time of Verne’s retirement, July 1955,<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Senator Russell introduced into the Congressional Record a brief account of his military career and an appreciative analysis of his invaluable contribution to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senators of both political parties voiced their grateful recognition of Verne’s capable and devoted service. His military knowledge coupled with his broad civilian outlook, the thoroughness of his research on every question referred to him, and the soundness of his judgment were qualities for which they praised him. General Floyd M. Parks wrote in a letter to the Washington Post (February 2, 1957) that Verne’s research on selective service and military training are standard works in the field and that his efforts were directed solely toward the real and lasting good of all of the people of this land.</div>
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The personal qualities which made him successful in these two diverse fields have been pointed out by those who knew him well. Friends, fellow officers, enlisted men, members of Congress, and many others have been impressed with his fundamental kindness, humility, generosity, modesty, sincerity, and bigness of spirit. In the face of difficulty, others have been strengthened by his self-discipline, his selflessness, his courage. and his fortitude. They recognized his fairness and his deep-rooted regard for people as individuals. They respected his integrity and trusted his judgment and his leadership. These are the qualities that made him great during his lifetime and endeared him to all who knew him. These are the qualities that will live on in the lives that touched his.</div>
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<em>—His Sister</em></div>
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