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Comrades celebrate decorated commander, friend at memorial ceremonyBharucha-Reid, 55, was 'a great American soldier'

By Lisa R. Rhodes

Staff Writer






Col. Kurusch Bharucha-Reid, 1955-2010

The life and military service of Col. Kurusch Bharucha-Reid, commander of Fort Meade's Army Field Support Center, were celebrated during a memorial service June 1 at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

Reid died May 26 of pancreatic cancer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after struggling with the disease for more than a year. He was 55.

Called a "great American Solider" by Maj. Gen. Mary A. Legere, commanding general of the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, Reid was remembered by about 650 colleagues and friends gathered to honor his 37-year Army career.

The Army Field Support Center's mission is to provide specialized administrative support to supported Department of the Army units. Reid, who reported to Legere, commanded the unit from May 2009 until his death.

The general spoke of how Reid continued to lead the unit from his hospital bed and how the headquarters' first sergeant brought the unit's colors to his bedside.

"He was a principled, compassionate and disciplined leader," Legere said. "Despite his illness, he remained focused on his organization and mission."

The hour-long memorial service began with a musical prelude and welcome by INSCOM Chaplain (Col.) David E. Smith.

"We're here to celebrate the life of a patriot and hero," Smith said, noting that in following Reid's example, the service members attending the memorial should also "give 100 percent."

Reid was raised in Detroit, where he graduated from the Cranbrook School in 1973. He then joined the Army under the Special Forces Enlistment Option. From 1974 through 1979, Reid served with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (A) and then attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., to study the Korean language.

A year later, Reid was assigned to the Special Forces Detachment Korea, serving as the sole U.S. Army advisor to the Republic of Korea Third Special Forces Brigade and participating in numerous Mobile Training Teams throughout Asia. Promoted to sergeant first class in 1983, he left Korea to attend the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga.

Reid was commissioned as a military intelligence officer and, in 1988, completed his bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York. Until 1997, he served in various capacities including operations officer and company commander.

In the years to come, Reid would deploy to Bosnia to serve as the commander of a DoD Human Intelligence element and then deploy to Afghanistan as the first HUMNIT officer assigned to provide direct support to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. In 2006, Reid deployed to Iraq, where he served in an interagency coordination cell. Prior to his service at Fort Meade, he was also the chief for the military group and senior DoD instructor at the Inter-Agency Strategic Intelligence training program.

In a short video tribute during the memorial, a young Reid was pictured with a black beard and afro, which garnered laughter from the audience. Reid was also shown in the field, in formation with Soldiers and with senior military leaders at special events.

Retired Col. Don Fox, a family friend, said at the memorial service that it was the colonel's nature "to give more than to receive" and that he lived by the golden rule.

"He was the most thoughtful and gracious person I have ever known," Fox said.

In another tribute, Bob Ward, a colleague who worked with Reid when he was deployed in Afghanistan, said the colonel often signed his correspondence as "UB." When Ward asked Reid what the initials stood for, he said they meant "undercover brother."

A hearty laugh could again be heard from the attendees.

To honor Reid's military service, the song "Ballad of the Green Beret" was played followed by a last roll call, a 21-gun salute and "Taps."

After the benediction and postlude, Legere led everyone in a salute to the fallen Soldier memorial, comprised of boots, a rifle and an Army helmet displayed in front of the chapel sanctuary.

"He was the consummate professional officer and a caring gentleman," said Lt. Col. Brian Wilson, deputy commander of the unit, during an interview after the service. "It's a loss that's felt by each and every Soldier and civilian in the unit."

Reid is survived by his mother Dr. Rodabe Bharucha-Reid and his brother Rustam Bharucha-Reid. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in September