June 22, 2020
Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert K. Suchke, '69, has been selected as a 2020 inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame. He becomes the fifth graduate of UNG's Corps of Cadets to be inducted.
"It's quite an honor. It's a humbling experience to be selected by other Rangers," Suchke said. "I really credit those people I served with. I can recall peers who are no longer here, who lost their lives serving their country in far-off places. This honor partly belongs to them."
The Ranger Hall of Fame was formed to honor and preserve the spirit and contributions of America's most extraordinary Rangers. Inductees must have served in a Ranger unit in combat or be successful graduates of the U.S. Army Ranger School. A Ranger unit is defined as those Army units recognized in Ranger lineage or history. Achievement or service may be considered for individuals in a position in state or national government after the Ranger has departed the armed forces.
Suchke served in combat in Vietnam as an aero rifle platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division, and with L Company, 75th Infantry Rangers as a platoon leader, executive officer, and training officer. His extensive Army resume includes service as a Ranger instructor at Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega, Infantry company command, and multiple assignments with Special Forces, including command of the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group.
Previous UNG and Corps of Cadets alumni inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame were Brig. Gen. David L. Grange, '70 (2005), Col. Robert L. Powell, '65 (2012), Lt. Col. Rembert Rollison, '66 (2015) and Maj. Gen. Edison E. Scholes, '61 (2007).
Suchke's military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, Special Operations Combat Diver Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Forces Tab and Ranger Tab.
"Colonel Suchke's career in the service of our nation was undoubtedly extraordinary and is most deserving of the recognition he received," said Dr. Keith Antonia, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2009 and is associate vice president for military programs at UNG. "We're extremely proud of all of our UNG graduates who are in the Ranger Hall of Fame."
Suchke's youngest son, Coe D. Suchke, has served with the Georgia National Guard since 2008 and commissioned from UNG in 2014. He recently served a tour in Afghanistan with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team