Colonel Edwin “Les” Minges III was awarded a US Army War college research fellowship at Tel Aviv University, in Israel. Upon finishing and graduating, recently, he was promoted to full Colonel.
L.K. Minges, of Market Street and employee of Moundville Ace Hardware, celebrated his son’s promotion to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army.
Colonel Edwin “Les” Minges III, a Research Fellow at the International Counter-Terror Institute in Herzliya, Israel, pinned on his new rank on June 16th in a small ceremony in Israel. He is a 1998 graduate of Central High School in Tuscaloosa, a former enlisted Soldier, and 2005 graduate of the United States Military Academy.
He will next serve at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel as the Director of Operations at the Office of Security Cooperation. The office implements Presidential and Secretary of State directives to develop enduring security in Israel and the Palestinian Territory.
Although a challenging task, Les believes that growing up in West Alabama provided strong moral values and a sense of community that he can apply. Before the Army, he worked in various agriculture, home improvement, and warehouse jobs in Hale, Greene and Tuscaloosa Counties.
Early in his Army career he spent over three years in Iraq in the First Cavalry Division as a Tank Platoon Leader, Infantry Company Executive Officer, Tank Company Commander, and Headquarters Company Commander. While in the First Infantry Division, he served as a Combined Arms Battalion Executive Officer in Kuwait and Jordan. His stateside positions of significant responsibility include serving as an Armored Brigade Operations Officer, Combined Arms Battalion Commander, and Armored Division Operations Officer.
COL Minges’ awards range from the Bronze Star Medal to the Army Service Ribbon. However, he feels they pale in comparison to the actions of his Troopers during the Battle of Taramiyah, Iraq in February 2007. He will never forget the valor, selflessness, and fearless commitment of all those he knew, led, and fought alongside.
COL Minges is married to Dr. Corrie Delorge Minges, of Thibodaux, Louisiana. Since 2006, she has served the military and civilian community as a psychotherapist. They have a daughter. Rachel. COL Minges and his daughter enjoy hunting deer and upland birds together. As a family, they enjoy fishing and visiting the gulf when they are able. The family should depart for the US on June 22nd. If not before!
Upon all the recent bombing in Israel, the family were able to board a C17 on Friday, June 20th, headed home to the USA.
