NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is continuing its tradition of honoring those who served in the nation’s Armed Forces by recognizing a veteran during each home football game this season. Lieutenant Colonel Urson S. Bacle (US Army Retired) was recognized during the Oct. 23 Homecoming game.
Bacle has served over 40 years through the active and reserve Army components and as a Department of the Army Civilian. In 1970, he entered service as an Infantryman in the Louisiana Army National Guard and attained the rank of Sergeant. After attending Officer Candidate School, he enrolled in Northwestern’s Master of Business Administration program and ROTC. He graduated and commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps in 1974.
LTC Bacle went on to serve at the Army Energy Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Army Japan and US Army Korea where he provided technical assistance and logistics training to subordinate commands, reserve units, joint service commands, the Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command, and the Japan Ground Self Defense forces. He supervised Wartime Host Nation Support, transferring and receiving material and services from the Government of Japan. He supervised the Combined Petroleum Support Center during contingencies and negotiated petroleum support agreements in the theater with foreign governments and military services.
Most recently, as a Department of the Army Civilian, LTC Bacle served as a Senior Program Analyst for US Army Installation Management Command, Headquarters, Stationing Management Division, Arlington, VA. There, he analyzed concept plans, stationing packages, and coordinated internally and externally to determine base operations support requirements, environmental impacts, and sustainability on these initiatives. He facilitated the execution of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) and supported the South East, North East, West, Europe, Republic of Korea, and Pacific IMCOM regions and garrisons BRAC action plans.
As the Deputy Commander for Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Energy Support Center, Republic of Korea, LTC Bacle supervised a network of 32 Defense Fuel Supply Points and four refinery contracts with a total value of approximately one billion dollars. He was the lead on closing the 30-year-old Trans Korea Pipeline System and the transfer of operations to the state-of-the-art commercial South North Pipeline system. His duties encompassed inventory management, quality acceptance and surveillance, personnel administration, fiscal and manpower management, logistics, and other areas while liaising with the Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense and civilian corporate suppliers.
Additional assignments included Director of Plans and Programs/Program Manager for US Air Force Detachment 3, Air Force Petroleum Office Ft. Belvoir, VA; Fuel Director for US Navy FISC Supply Det Sasebo Japan; Assistant Officer in Charge, US Navy FISC Yokosuka Fuel Department FISC Fuel Detachment, Tsurumi; and Operations and Transportation Officer for US Army 2nd Quartermaster Group, 19th TAACOM, Republic of Korea.
LTC Bacle’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass, indicating 30 years of service.
Lieutenant Colonel Bacle hails from Coushatta. He is a past president of NSU’s Nu Chapter Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.
