Discipline was cornerstone of former Russellville Mayor Troy Oliver’s life

Troy Oliver was never much of a politician. In fact, he wasn’t a politician at all.

So Oliver’s election to the office of Russellville Mayor in 2008 seemed unlikely.

Oliver, a Retired Major General in the United States Army National Guard, passed away at his Russellville home July 4th at the age of 82.

Oliver’s dedication and passion for his hometown of Russellville was clear to those who knew him. Oliver’s decorated military service and leadership style was a no-nonsense, direct approach to getting things done.

Those who served under his command knew Oliver as a fair but firm leader who was very direct when talking to others, a necessary trait for military leadership but one at occasional conflict with serving in elected office.

But Oliver served his city as he served his country. He was a man who believed in discipline in one’s life, family, job and in military leadership.

Oliver embraced that discipline as an important leadership trait, all the way back to his serving in the ROTC while attending the former Florence State College.

He often studied successful military leaders and consistently learned that for each of them, discipline was a fixture in their leadership styles.

Russellville resident Robbie Richardson, who has known Oliver since childhood, saw Oliver’s caring side that others often missed.

When Richardson’s Army National Guard unit was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, Oliver traveled to Fayette for the send off ceremony, something Richardson always appreciated.

There’s a long-standing tradition of giving coins in the military, often given to a young officer. And before he left for Afghanistan, Richardson received his first coin at his send off from Oliver, who was mayor at the time.

“He was always supportive of my military duties and I always appreciated him giving me my first coin,” Richardson said.

“He was a good man who cared deeply about his family, cared about the men who served under him and cared about his city. Troy Oliver always wanted to do things right, which is what you should do in elected office—always strive to do your best,” Richardson added.

And when Richardson’s tour in Afghanistan began, he gained a true understanding about the importance of discipline in wartime and why it was at the core of Oliver’s life.

“He served as an officer in Vietnam at a bad time. As an officer in a war like Vietnam, if you don’t give the right order, or orders are not followed, there’s consequences that include death,” Richardson said.

“Troy always wanted to do things right, but he also understood you didn’t mess around with it. The people who really knew him understood what a quality person he was. He cared about people and he cared passionately about his hometown.”

In August 1966, Oliver learned he would soon be deployed to Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, where he began as a platoon leader, something he was eligible for after graduating from college commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Just days before his deployment, Oliver married the love of his life, Brenda. It wasn’t easy to leave his new bride to travel across the world, but Oliver never tried to defer his deployment date.

He was dedicated and disciplined with his service. Duty called the young soldier, so he had to leave his new bride.

Oliver’s Vietnam service saw plenty of bloodshed, as friends as well as a few under his command lost their lives. He navigated through the sadness with, as you might expect, a disciplined focus on the mission and objective of each military operation his unit underwent.

Just months after his deployment began, Oliver was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army, the first of many promotions he received over his 30 years of service.

He ascended to 1st Lieutenant in the Army Reserve in June of 1967, and to 1st Lieutenant in the Alabama Reserve National Guard March 8th of the following year.

On October 4, 1995, Oliver was promoted to Brigadier General (LINE) in the National Guard.

A few years ago, Oliver was asked to write the foreword for a historical book about the Battle of Xom Bo II, co-written by David J. Hearne.

The book detailed one of Vietnam’s bloodiest battles that came on June 17, 1967, when 500 1st Infantry Division soldiers were ambushed by more than 2,000 Viet Cong 271st Regiment soldiers in a steamy hot jungle only they were familiar with.

39 American soldiers died that day, with more than 150 more incurring serious injuries.

Oliver’s military awards and decorations included a Bronze Star Medal (with V device), Purple Heart and a Meritorious Service Medal.

Years after Vietnam, Oliver served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Crimson Industries, which built manufactured housing at two plants with more than 300 employees and $30 million average annual sales.

Oliver made administrative, financial and operational decisions for Crimson Industries with the same disciplined focus he honed in Vietnam and later used in his four years of leadership as Russellville Mayor.

But that discipline never meant Oliver didn’t care about his faith, family, friends, employees or the soldiers under his command.

Oliver often contacted the men he served with years after Vietnam to see how their lives were going. Whether they needed guidance, assistance or just someone to listen, Oliver was there.

It was a side of him most people didn’t see.

For those of us who did, though, it was a blessing and a privilege to have known him.