Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Walter J. Vrudny (1922-2004) Papers

Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Walter J. Vrudny was born in Racine, Wisconsin, 5 December 1922. He graduated from Concordia Junior College, St. Paul, Minnesota (1942), and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (1946). He was ordained as a Lutheran minister in July 1946 at Central City, Pennsylvania, as a member of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (SELC).

He entered the Army in June 1952, reporting to the US Army Chaplain School, Ft. Slocum, New York, as a student for the Basic Chaplain Course. His first assignment was with the Post Chaplain, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. In December 1952 he was reassigned to Korea, serving with the 4th Ordnance Battalion and later with the I Corps NCO Academy as School Chaplain. In July 1954 he was reassigned to the 19th AAA Battalion, Mount Ephraim, New Jersey. In February 1957 he was reassigned to the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, serving as Battle Group Chaplain and later Assistant Division Trains Chaplain.

In June 1960 Chaplain Vrudny attended the Chaplain Associate Course at the US Army Chaplain School, Ft. Slocum, New York. In September 1960, he was assigned as School Chaplain at the US Army Signal School, Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. In January 1963 he attended the Chaplain Career Course at the US Army Chaplain School, Ft. Hamilton, New York.

In June 1963 Chaplain Vrudny was transferred to Germany where he served as Brigade Chaplain with the 2nd Brigade, 4th Armored Division. In June 1964 he was reasigned to Headquarters, Seventh Army, serving as Administrative Chaplain.

In May 1966 Chaplain Vrudny was transferred from Germany to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky as Group Chaplain with the 500th Transportation Group. In September 1966 he deployed with the Group to Vietnam. In February 1967 Chaplain Vrudny was transferred to the Support Command at Cam Ranh Bay as Deputy Staff Chaplain and later served as Staff Chaplain. In September 1967 he was reasigned from Vietnam to Ft. Irwin, California where he was reassigned to the United States Army Support Thailand as Deputy Staff Chaplain. In May 1971 he was reassigned to Fort Ord, California, where he assumed the duties of the Deputy Post Chaplain.

While serving in Vietnam, Chaplain Vrudny was awarded the Bronze Star. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal following his tour at Ft. Irwin. Upon completion of his tour in Thailand, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster.)

This sketch is drawn from a document in the collection.

Walter John Vrudny died March 26, 2004 and is buried in Salinas, California along with his wife, Ellen.