Frank M. Muth woke up May 9 as a colonel, but he went to sleep a general.
Hundreds gathered in Fort Riley's Victory Park for the Victory with Honors Promotion Ceremony for Muth, the 1st Infantry Division's deputy commanding officer for support, who was promoted to brigadier general.
"Today's a great day for celebration," Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general, told the crowd of about 300. "I'm a 'Big Red One' Soldier. I'm brave, responsible and on point for the nation. And today, especially today, I'm on point for my teammate Frank Muth."
The Army chief of staff announced last month Muth will next serve as director of the Army Quadrennial Defense Review Office, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, in Washington, D.C.
Muth was commissioned as an Army aviator in 1986, the same year the military aviation blockbuster film "Top Gun" was released.
"While they tried to hire Frank to do that mission, and he was supposed to be in the movie, he was a little busy at the aviation flight school, so he couldn't come -- so they got Tom Cruise instead," Funk joked, adding, "Their loss, Frank."
The commanding general described Muth as a fantastic leader and a devoted family man.
"I've been privileged to have him on this team for nearly a year now," Funk said. "At one time, it was just me and Frank. He's always been a valued asset to the command team."
Muth, a native of Columbia, Md., commanded the Big Red One's 1st Combat Aviation Brigade from 2009 to 2011, during which time the "Demon" brigade deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During that deployment, the CAB was responsible for all Army aviation support in Iraq.
"The truth is, I couldn't have had more confidence in anybody," Funk said. "This day is long overdue."
Lt. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins, United States Army North/Fifth United States Army commanding general, also spoke highly of Muth at the ceremony. Wiggins commanded the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley from July 2008 to April 2009.
"It's a distinct honor to be here to recognize truly one of the most distinct and most honorable Soldiers in our ranks," Wiggins said. "Frank's been serving with distinction at the general officer level as a colonel, and really as a lieutenant colonel, the truth be known."
Wiggins said Muth's promotion was a long time coming.
"This is something that you have deserved, it is something that you have earned having commanded at all three command levels in combat," he said. "Very few people can say they have that distinction and have done it absolutely, impeccably and honorably.
"So on behalf of all of us who wear the cloth of our nation, I want to say thank you for what you do."
After being presented with the first artillery round fired from the salute battery to honor his first day as a brigadier general, Muth said in 28 years of service, there were three assignments that stood out as moments to reflect on and from which to learn.
"I had the honor to command in combat at the troop, squadron and brigade level," Muth said. "There are people here today who I stood with in each one of those formations, and they had a direct impact on today's promotion. I am truly thankful for all they have done for us."
Muth concluded his remarks with what is quickly becoming a catchphrase among 1st Inf. Div. leaders: "My name is Frank Muth. I'm a Big Red One Soldier. No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great. Duty first."
Social Sharing