Dr. James (Jim) Rougeau, born in December of 1935, started his military career in 1957.  After completing 4 years of ROTC, he enlisted in the Army National Guard as a member of Company E, 199th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division (LA National Guard).  He was a SFC, E-6, in that organization.

In 1958, upon graduation from college, he resigned his stripes and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and assigned to Ft. Benning, GA and the 2nd Infantry Division with the 2nd Battle Group, 23rd Infantry.  Subsequently, he received a Regular Army commission and volunteered for parachute duty with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC.  At Fort Bragg, he volunteered for duty with the US Army Special Forces and became a member of the 7th Special Forces Group (ABN).

In 1962, he was transferred to the Panama Canal Zone and served in the 8th Special Forces Group (ABN) until 1965, working in various countries in the South and Central America in counter-insurgency environments.

In 1965, Dr. Rougeau attended an Army Advanced Course and was assigned to the USA Natick Laboratories in Massachusetts to work in Combat Developments for Airdrop of personnel and equipment.  In 1966, he volunteered for service in Vietnam and was assigned to MACVSOG and the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) in a combat role with Long Range Reconnaissance.

In 1967, Dr. Rougeau was assigned to Ft. Benning, GA and The Combat Development Command for one year and again volunteered for Vietnam but was assigned to Thailand and MACTHAI and the 46th Special Forces Company (ABN) as an advisor to the Royal Thai Army Special Forces.

He returned to the US in 1969 and was assigned to the US Army Airborne, Communications and Electronics Board at Ft. Bragg, NC. He participated in test activities until reassigned to the US Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis, MO where he became a primary manager of development, procurement and depot stocks of Air Delivery items for the Army.

In 1971, Dr. Rougeau was selected to attend the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS and upon completion, was ordered to complete an advanced degree at a civilian institution.  His subsequent assignment was to Ft. Lee, VA as the Chief of Instruction of the Airborne Department of the US Army Quartermaster School.  This academic department was responsible for training the parachute riggers for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps branches of the Service.  He later served as Director of this Academic Department.

In 1976, Dr. Rougeau returned to the Panama Canal Zone to serve in the Resources Management Directorate of the US Southern Command (Latin America) as the Executive Officer of the Directorate.  In 1978, he returned to Ft. Polk, LA as the Installation Supply Officer, where he retired from service in 1980 with 22 years of active service.

After separating from the Army, he remained in the Inactive Reserve until 1995.  He retired in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army.

Dr. Rougeau returned immediately to Public Education and served as a teacher, coach, and principal at schools in the State of Louisiana.  He pursued this career for 20.5 years, 16 as an administrator (principal), before retiring in 2001.  He received a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1989.  He continues to work as a substitute teacher in the Branson area with a valid Missouri teaching certificate.

During his military career, Dr. Rougeau was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations to include: Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, RVN Master Parachutist Badge, RTA Master Parachutist Badge with Fouragerre, Ecuadorian Master Parachutist Badge, RVN CIDG Master Parachutist Wings, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, RVN Valorous Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Services Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/4OLC, Air Medal w/OLC, Army Commendation w/2 V’s, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, RVN Service Medal w/7 stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon w/4, RVN Staff Service Honor Medal 1st Class, RVN Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, RVN Campaign Ribbon w/ 60 clasp, and the Green Beret.

Dr. Rougeau is an active member of the VFW, American Legion, MOAA, Special Forces’ Association, Special Operations Association, and POW/MIA Association.  He has served on the Church Parish Council and is currently President of Chapter 82 (Ozarks Chapter) of the Special Forces Association.

To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please see a Customer Service Representative for the Nomination Form.  Veterans are chosen by a panel of their peers.

THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!

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