Ron Drez is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War and a former Captain of Marines. He is an award-winning, best-selling author and commander who educates and engages his audience—regardless of age. Businesses, clubs, associations and classrooms can step back into American history with stimulating lectures, roundtables, and presentations.

PERSONAL

• Born and educated in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Married to Judith L. Drez, with four children and 12 grandchildren.

EDUCATION

• BBA Tulane University, 1962
  
• MA in History, University of New Orleans, 1985

MILITARY SERVICE

• Commissioned Officer, United States Marine Corps, 1962-69.
• Commissioned through the NROTC at Tulane University.
• Thrice member of Tulane’s National Championship rifle teams, 1960-62
• Served as Captain in the Marine Corps, and in combat in Vietnam as Commanding Officer of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1968-69.
• Awarded two Bronze Stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star for heroism in combat, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
• Selected for inclusion in publication, Outstanding Young Men of America, 1968.

BUSINESS

• Author, Historian, and Lecturer.
• Assistant Director and Research Associate to the late historian Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose at the Eisenhower Center, and to Dr. Douglas Brinkley at the University of New Orleans, 1987 – 2007.
• Chief Historian of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours. Historian for Normandy, War in the Pacific, Band of Brothers and Italian Campaign tours.