Story by Pfc. Adam Dean
124th MPAD

MACON, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 – Georgia’s 48th Brigade Combat Team welcomed Col. Lawrence Dudney as its new commander while recognizing the accomplishments of its outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver during a change of command ceremony at the Regional Training Institute.

Rodeheaver, who led the 48th during its recent yearlong deployment to Iraq, is leaving the brigade to become deputy commander 1st U.S. Army at Fort Gillem near Atlanta.   

“This is a very humbling experience for me,” said Dudney, who’s been serving as brigade deputy commander since 2003.  During his tenure as deputy commander, he deployed to Iraq with the Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve this brigade. In order to be a leader you have to serve. You have to serve the Soldiers, and I will continue to do that which I know best.”

Dudney, who began his military career as an enlisted Soldier, has a long history with the 48th Brigade, although he started out in a unit that is part of the Army Guard’s Troop Command.

He was first commissioned as a second lieutenant in September 1978 with Elberton’s 2nd Battalion, 214th Field Artillery. Later, he traded his Troop Command unit patch for the brigade’s flash and lighting bolt by joining Savannah’s 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery. That unit would mobilize and train up for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After serving in several command positions within the 48th, Dudney left Georgia for Washington where he would work at the National Guard Bureau. He also spent time abroad as the Army National Guard’s senior advisor for U.S. Forces Korea and 8th U.S. Army. 

Dudney was working at the Pentagon when it was struck by an aircraft during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He spent several hours after the attack evacuating the wounded and leading occupants of the building to safety. For the heroism he exhibited that day he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the Army’s third highest commendation. He also was presented the Valley Forge Cross of Heroism by the National Guard Association of the United States.

Among Dudney’s other military honorss are the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, four Meritorious Service medals and three Army Commendation medals.

He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in education from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro; a master’s in educational administration and supervision from Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville; a master’s in public administration from Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pa.; and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

“Larry is the right person at the right time to lead this brigade through transformation, and prepare it for its next mission,” said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, commander Georgia Army Guard.

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