Verne D. Mudge

Verne D. Mudge
Mudge in The Boston Globe, March 9, 1945
Born	September 5, 1898 Selby, South Dakota, US
Died	January 29, 1957 (aged 58) San Diego, California, US
Buried	Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, US 32°41′37″N117°14′42″W / 32.69362129°N 117.24500957°W / 32.69362129; -117.24500957
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1920–1946
Rank	Major General
Commands	5th Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division 1st Cavalry Division
Battles / wars	World War II Operation Cartwheel Philippines campaign
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart Bronze Star Medal Air Medal

Verne Donald Mudge (September 5, 1898 - January 29, 1957) was an officer of the United States Army who led the 1st Cavalry Division during World War II.

Early life and career

Verne D. Mudge was born and raised in Walworth County, South Dakota. He attended the University of Florida before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1920 and was thereafter assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in 1935 and from the United States Army War College in 1939, after which he served on the General Staff of the Department of War for two years. ^[1]

World War II

After the United States entered World War II, Mudge was promoted to lieutenant colonel and became chief of staff to Major General Innis P. Swift, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, which was then stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. ^[2] He eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general and was given command of the division's 2nd Brigade, which he successfully led in combat during the Admiralty Islands campaign in February 1944. Afterward, Mudge was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. ^[3]

Philippines campaign

Mudge was promoted to major general and assigned to command the 1st Cavalry Division on August 19, 1944, in preparation for the Allied liberation of the Philippines. During the Battle of Leyte, Mudge gave direct commands to his troops after being ambushed by the Japanese during an inspection, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. ^[4]

On January 27, 1945, after the 1st Cavalry had landed at San Fabian, Mudge was instructed by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to advance on Manila, liberate Santo Tomas Internment Camp, and capture the Legislative Building and Malacañang Palace. ^[5] During the February 28 Battle of Manila, Mudge was inspecting a destroyed enemy dugout when a dying Japanese soldier detonated a grenade, with shrapnel from the blast seriously wounding Mudge in the abdomen. Mudge was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism during the battle. ^[4]

Later career and death

Mudge was transferred to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. in June 1945. After the war, Mudge briefly served on the Personnel Board of Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson. ^[2] He retired from the Army on November 30, 1946, on account of his injuries sustained in the Philippines. He died in San Diego on January 29, 1957. Mudge was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, Section I, Row 0, Site 234-A . ^[6]

References

1. "Ex-Chief of 1st Cavalry, Gen. Verne D. Mudge, Dies". El Paso Times . January 30, 1957. p. 13.
2. "Biography of Major-General Verne Donald Mudge (1898 – 1957), USA". generals.dk. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
3. "General Mudge Gets Bronze Star". El Paso Times . August 6, 1944. p. 9.
4. "Verne Mudge". Hall of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star, U.S. Military Awards. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
5. "Verne Mudge". I Like to Hear Myself Talk History. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
6. "Memorial: Verne Donald Mudge Sep 5, 1898 - Jan 29, 1957". Veterans Legacy Memorial. Washington, DC: US Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved March 28, 2025.