Col. Richard J. Muraski, Jr. became the Deputy Commander of the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on June 27, 2012. He also served as the acting commander of the Southwestern Division from April 4 to July 24, 2014. Prior to this assignment, he was the Commander of the Corps’ Fort Worth District.
Muraski, a native of Kansas City, Mo., graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. After earning a Master of Science degree in Geodetic Sciences from Purdue University, he taught at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency College, Fort Belvoir, Va. Colonel Muraski has served in a variety of operational, command and staff assignments in the United States and overseas. One of his most recent assignments was Military Assistant to Secretary of the Army, performing a variety of support duties until attending the National War College, where he earned a Master of Science in Strategic Studies in June 2009.
His previous assignments include serving with the 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (M), at Fort Carson, Colo. As a captain, he served with the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as Brigade Engineer, Battalion S-1 and Company Commander, deploying his company to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy.
Following Army Command and Staff College, Colonel Muraski served as the Assistant Division Engineer, 4th Infantry Division; S-3 and Executive Officer, 299th Engineer Battalion, at Fort Hood, Texas. He went on to serve as Executive Officer and Military Assistant to the Deputy Director and Military Executive at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). He deployed with an NGA support team to Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Muraski assumed command of the 588th Engineer Battalion in June 2004. Under the Army’s modular reorganization, he transformed the 588th into the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade. The battalion deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2005 and was responsible for the majority of Babil Province, conducting combat operations along with training Iraqi security forces.
Colonel Muraski’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), the Joint Service Commendation (oak leaf cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (oak leaf cluster), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Bronze de Fleury Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He has been awarded the Ranger and Sapper Tabs as well as the Combat Action Badge, Airborne and Air Assault Badges.