Douglas J. Lamude

Colonel (Retired) Douglas J. Lamude passed away peacefully at his Ellicott City home on November 20, 2024. He was 81 years old.

Doug was born in the Harlem section of New York City on March 13, 1943, to Jerome and Marguerite Lamude. Shortly after his birth his parents relocated to Chappaqua, New York, where he grew up and graduated from Horace Greeley High School.

Doug spent several summers during his youth working on a dairy farm in Vermont, where he often said he learned some of his most important life lessons, and then went on to graduate from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was accepted by Dartmouth College to continue his postgraduate education, but he had to leave when he was called to active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to undergo field artillery officer training. Following his training, he was selected to become an instructor at Fort Sill, and a few years later he was chosen to join the faculty at West Point.

Doug served in a variety of military assignments in his 33-year military career. His overseas assignments took him to numerous countries in Western Europe, Canada, Latin America, Nigeria, and Southeast Asia. He concluded his career as the Executive Officer and Staff Director in the Office of the Chief Army Reserve in the Pentagon. Following his retirement from the Army, he was recalled to active duty twice during the Clinton Administration to assist with the crises in Uganda and Haiti.

During his long and distinguished career, Doug served as both an enlisted soldier and a commissioned officer, as well as in all three components of the Army: the Army Reserve, National Guard, and Active Army. He rose to the rank of Colonel. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit (3 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, and Headquarters, Department of the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

Doug considered the passage of the “Armed Forces Reserve Healthcare Benefits Act” the most significant accomplishment of his career. The Act corrected numerous flaws he had identified in Federal law regarding medical treatment, compensation, and other benefits for injured or disabled reservists and Guard members.

Following Doug’s retirement from the military, he served as a senior staff member in both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate for five years.

Doug is survived by his wife, Margaret, brother-in-law David Smith (Judy), nephews Jake and Matt Smith, and numerous cousins both in the United States and abroad.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s memory to the veterans or military charity of your choice.