Thomas V. Draude (born April 25, 1940) is a retired United States Marine Brigadier General. Draude retired in 1993 after 31 years of military service. Since retirement, Draude served with USAA and the Marine Corps University Foundation. He is currently an adjunct faculty member of University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, teaching on courses on The Vietnam War and U.S. Military War Doctrine.
Early life Thomas V. Draude was born on April 25, 1940, in Kankakee, Illinois. His father, Henry Joseph Draude, was a German immigrant who worked as a plumber and steam fitter from age 14 until his death in 1978. His mother, Marjorie Cloonen Draude, daughter of Irish immigrants, was a registered nurse and the Kankakee County Tuberculosis nurse at the time of her death in 1960. His sister, Helen Ingram, died in 1992. His other sister, Sharon, resides in Kankakee.
Draude graduated as Valedictorian from St. Patrick Central High School (now Bishop McNamara High School) in 1958 and was captain of his school's first undefeated football team. He was selected to the McNamara Hall of Honor.
He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962 and was selected to compete as a Rhodes Scholar. While at the academy he was a member of the Plebe Football team and President of the Cardinal Neuman Club.
Marine Corps career He was selected to remain after graduation from Annapolis to teach drill and marksmanship to the incoming plebe Class of 1966. He then served as an Assistant Operations officer until reporting to The Basic School in December 1962. He graduated with honors in June 1963 and reported to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton. This unit was part of the 30 month Transplacement Program which formed in Camp Pendleton, sailed to Okinawa for 13 months and was designated 1st Battalion 3rd Marines. At the end of its overseas period, it sailed back to Camp Pendleton and was re-designated 1st Battalion 7th Marines.
Draude began as a weapons platoon commander and then became a rifle platoon commander. In March 1964 he and his reinforced platoon were deployed from Okinawa to Da Nang, South Vietnam. The platoon was to provide security for the Marine Air Base Squadron supporting Marine helicopter squadrons which were supporting South Vietnamese Armed Forces. This platoon also was part of the security for Da Nang Air Base and elements spent time with U.S. Army Special Forces units at Khe Sanh and A Shau. Upon their return to Okinawa, Draude became the company executive officer and was later selected to be the battalion adjutant. The battalion mounted out in response to the Gulf of Tonkin attack and remained afloat until its return to Okinawa, then back to California.
In preparation for sure participation in the Vietnam War, the battalion participated in Operation Silver Lance, in January 1965, in amphibious exercise simulating challenges it would face later. In May 1965 it deployed as the lead element of RLT-7 led by Colonel (later General) Oscar Peatross. Upon return to Okinawa it was designated the Seventh Fleet Special Landing Force and took part in Operation Starlite, the largest U.S. operation in South Vietnam up to that time. Draude served as battalion adjutant until October 1965 when he returned to Company "M", where he had started two years earlier, as executive officer. In January 1966 his company commander was wounded and evacuated. Draude took command and remained until August, extending his tour in Vietnam to remain with his company. During his tour he was promoted to captain and took part in operations near Chu Lai. For his actions he received two awards of the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm.
Draude was then assigned as one of the first groups of Marine Instructors at the U.S. Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. For his service he received the Army Commendation Medal. He then attended the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, graduating with honors, and continued at the Marine Advisor Course in preparation for his assignment to the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps.
Arriving in Saigon in May 1969 he initially joined the 6th Battalion for operations in Tay Ninh to eject People's Army of Vietnam forces. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V". He served subsequently as an assistant brigade advisor and senior advisor to the 5th Battalion. This was during the Vietnamization phase of the war with more responsibilities assigned to the Vietnamese units as U.S. forces drew down. The area of operations for 5th Battalion was primarily IV Corps and eventually Cambodia as part of the 1970 invasion. For his service with the Vietnamese he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Honor Medal, First Class.
Silver Star citation Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Thomas V. Draude (MCSN: 0-89211), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1966, the Company was engaged in a search and destroy operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in Quang Ngai Province when two of Captain Draude's platoons came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from a well concealed and entrenched Viet Cong unit of company size. Without hesitation, Captain Draude immediately moved to the point of contact to observe the hamlet and to personally supervise the maneuver of his Company. Realizing the strength of the enemy, he withdrew his units to a safe position and effectively used every supporting weapon available to him to annihilate the enemy positions. In the late daylight hours, Captain Draude against attacked the hamlet. With full knowledge of the hazards involved, and with complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while directing the operations of his forces. He moved from position to position, encouraging his men, while setting an example of calmness and courage. In the vigorous assault, the enemy was routed from the hamlet. By the light of the burning huts, Captain Draude swiftly organized his position and swiftly set about retrieving and evacuating the Company's dead and wounded. Although physically exhausted, Captain Draude searched the burning hamlet to insure that every member of the Command was accounted for. On finding a mortally wounded Marine who had been overlooked earlier, Captain Draude carried the injured man to the evacuation point, 400 meters away. Largely as a result of Captain Draude's professional ability and stirring example, thirty-one Viet Cong were killed. By his valiant actions, extraordinary courage and inspiring leadership throughout, Captain Draude upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Marine Corps career (post Vietnam War) Draude reported to the United States Naval Academy in June 1970 and served two years as a Company Officer and one year as Brigade Performance Officer. For his three years of service he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. During this tour he was promoted to major.
Reporting to Frankfurt, West Germany, he assumed command of Company "A" Marine Security Guard Battalion. His command of Marine Security Guards at Embassies and Consulates stretched from Moscow Soviet Union, to Reykjavík, Iceland, to Nicosia, Cyprus. In 1975 he reported as a student at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He graduated with honors and with a Master of Military Art and Service degree. His Master's paper was on the relief of battalion commanders and below during the Vietnam War.
In 1976 Draude became the executive officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, and later the S-4 of the 5th Marines. During a Palm Tree exercise at 29 Palms featuring a mechanized task force, he tested a concept of logistic support which proved successful. He then spent a year in Okinawa as the III MAF assistant plans officer. This tour culminated with a multi-battalion exercise on Okinawa named Fortress Gale. During this tour he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
His next assignment was at Headquarters Marine Corps, as an action officer in the Joint Strategic Planning Branch. His responsibilities included the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, the Joint Strategic Long Range Appraisal, and various special projects. He was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal for his performance. He was then assigned to the National War College as a student, graduating in 1982. Reporting to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific) in Hawaii, he was assigned to the G-3 section as Ground Operations officer. Selected to the grade of Colonel in 1983, he then became inspector of FMF, Pac until his assignment as G-1 FMF.
In 1985 he reported to First Marine Division as G-3. In this assignment he developed a concept of division command post configuration stressing survivability and mobility to include night displacements with tactical and jump command posts. He then returned to the "Fighting Fifth Marines" as its commanding officer. He focused the regiment on the next war, emphasizing fire support coordination and practicing Suppression of Enemy Air Defense with artillery fire protecting close air support aircraft. Draude served as commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment from 15 May 1986 to 9 November 1987. In 1987 Draude reported to Headquarters Marine Corps for duty as the Secretary of the General Staff working for the Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps. Selected to the grade of brigadier general in 1989, he was assigned to the Pentagon under the Deputy Secretary of Defense. His assignment was to implement David Packard's Defense Management Report, designed to improve efficiencies and find savings in the United States Department of Defense. At the end of one year the implementations was completed, and he volunteered to serve in Desert Shield. For his service he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. Assigned to be the Assistant Division Commander of the First Marine Division, he joined the division in Saudi Arabia in October 1990. The division's focus changed from defensive to offensive in November with the arrival of the Second Marine Division. Draude's focus was on the logistics support of the division as well as planning artillery raids and the assault into Kuwait. He was also designated the deception officer for Marine Forces using amphibious forces, tanks, artificial tanks and artillery pieces, and Task Force Troy to achieve surprise and capture of most of the Iraqi forces. For his performance he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal with Combat "V".