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Military Personnel Award Ceremonies

Ceremonies honoring military personnel for service and achievements, featuring awards presentations and group photos with service members in uniform.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald J. Place, DHA director, and his wife, Carol, meet with DHA employees during a farewell event with the workforce Dec. 9 at Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Place will depart the Agency Jan. 3, 2023 after serving as the agencys third director and retire following 36 years of service to the nation, the Army and the military health system.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald J. Place, DHA director, and his wife, Carol, meet with DHA employees during a farewell event with the workforce Dec. 9 at Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Place will depart the Agency Jan. 3, 2023 after serving as the agencys third director and retire following 36 years of service to the nation, the Army and the military health system.
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220804-N-DG679-083JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2022) New journey-level artisans who graduated from Fleet Readiness Center Southeasts (FRCSE) Trades Apprenticeship Program pose for a picture with FRCSE leadership after receiving their certificates of completion. FRCSE launched the renewed apprenticeship program in 2019, a combination work-study program that provides apprentices with a competitive wage and benefits while learning a journey-level trade. L to R: LCDR Joel DeGraeve, Joshua Lancaster, Andre Giannini, Robert Boehnel, Gilbert Baez, John McCarthy, CAPT Grady Duffey, Mr. Joe Pickens, and Reginald Valentine.DORAL, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2024) Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro, right, shakes hands with Personnel Specialist 1st Class Yamicelys Rodriguezmartinez, attached to Navy Talent Acquisition Talent Group (NTAG) Miami, after speaking with Sailors and Marines at U.S. Southern Command, in Doral, Fla., February 9, 2024. Del Toro's priorities include securing the training and equipment successful naval operations demand and addressing the most pressing challenges confronting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. NTAG Miami, has 38 recruiting locations throughout South Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with the combined mission to recruit the highest caliber Sailors to meet the needs of the Fleet. NavyU.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Joey D. Edwards, maintenance test pilot for 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and his family are honored during a division retirement ceremony on August 19, 2022, at Fort Riley, Kansas. Edwards, who served 22 years in the military, received the Meritorious Service medal, The Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement, A Certificate of Appreciation, and a Folded American Flag.Grace Ellis, left, a volunteer with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, accepts an award from Christina Grantham, the director of the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni NCMRS, during an awards presentation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 23, 2024. The MCAS Iwakuni NMCRS hosted a luncheon to recognize volunteers for their service to the community and celebrates the 120th birthday of the organization.Secretary Dirk Kempthorne with U.S. Park Police officers including Major Robert Rule far left, Major Daniel Walters third from left, and Chief Dwight Pettiford far right, 5/14/2007YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 23, 2022) Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine group 7, presents a check to the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) during an awards ceremony Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), May 23, 2022. NMCRS provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, their eligible family members, widows, and survivors.Gen. Glen VanHerck, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, presented a gift to Marie Coleman, 2nd Chief, Native Village of Eklutna, Alaska, before providing the keynote address highlighting the 75th Anniversary of Alaskan Command, a USNORTHCOM subordinate unified command, at the Alaska Aviation Museum, Anchorage, Alaska, May 6, 2022. Ms. Coleman was the guest speaker for the event. (Department of Defense photo by Chuck Marsh)Events honoring Eugene Melanson, departing Law Enforcement Specialist and Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team of the U.S. Park PoliceRetired Sgt. Maj. Bruce Griffin (left) presents the Order of the Dragon certificate to Antonio J. Amos (right) on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Feb. 28. Amos, a retired U.S. Army Chemical Corps lieutenant colonel and senior Army civilian, was inducted into the Chemical Corps Regimental Associations Order of the Dragon. U.S. ArmyCommand Sgt. Maj. Seagram Porter, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade command sergeant major, was inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara during the Saint Barbara's Social, December 3rd at the Plaza Hotel in El Paso, TexasThe Ancient Order of Saint Barbara is awarded to individuals with long-term service commitments with the Artillery, with service more decorated and distinctive than those in the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Derrick V. Lewis II, the executive officer of Recruiting Station Sacramento, and Sgt. Tristen R. Yoder, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Roseville, Recruiting Station Sacramento, present Sandra Helmuth an Educators Workshop award at Bear River High School in Grass Valley, California on Nov. 8, 2022. The Educators' Workshop is a five-day program designed to better inform teachers, coaches, counselors and influencers about the benefits, and opportunities available during service in the Marine Corps. This allows attendees to return home and provide firsthand experience and knowledge to individuals interested in military service.U.S. Navy culinary specialists pose with Rose Festival representatives at the annual Galley Wars during Portland Fleet Week in Oregon, June 9, 2022. Portland Fleet Week is a time-honored celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity for the citizens of Oregon to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.(Left to right) U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, Vermonts Adjutant General, U.S. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of National Guard Bureau, Klaudia Tanner, Federal Minister of Defense of the Republic of Austria, U.S. Ambassador to Austria Victoria Kennedy, Lt. Gen. Erich Csitkovits, Training Director and Commandant, National Defence Academy, sign letters of intent between the Vermont National Guard and Republic of Austria at a signing ceremony, July 19, 2022, Vienna, Austria. This will be the third state partnership for the Vermont National Guard, which includes partnerships with North Macedonia since 1993 and Senegal since 2008.U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, the commander of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command, gathers with participants and guests of a ceremony honoring U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Frank Edward Parker Jr., hosted by the National Montford Point Marines Association (NMPMA), Tidewater Virginia Chapter 14, at New Jerusalem Ministries Church, Virginia Beach, VA, on April 23, 2022. During the ceremony, Parker posthumously received the Certificate of Status and Congressional Gold Medal for service in World War II and for his role in paving the way for future African-American service members. The NMPMA is dedicated to preserving the legacy of nearly 20,000 World War II Marine Corps veterans who served from 1942 - 1949, and trained in the aforementioned segregated training facility.Ms. Paula Caruth, mother of Lance Cpl. Casey Casanova, stands next to a bust with Casanova's comrades during a dedication ceremony and unveiling collection at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, Nov. 10, 2022. Casanova was the first and only female service member from Mississippi killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one of only three in all operations during the extensive Global War on Terror. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by 2nd Lt. Desmond Jones)Kathy and Timothy Jeffery, the wife and son of late Fire Chief Kenneth Jeffery, accept the Navy Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Hall of Fame award on behalf of Kenneth from Commander, Navy Installations Commander Executive Director Timothy Bridges, F&ES Director Carl Glover and Operations Director Mark Sinder at the U.S. Navy Museum on board the historic Washington Navy Yard, May 18. The Navy F&ES Awards Program was instituted in 1997 to recognize the most outstanding fire departments and personnel for achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management.U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo poses for a photo with the Marine Security Guard Detachment of U.S. Embassy Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan on October 6, 2018.The Maryland National Guard hosts the renaming and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh Readiness Center located in Eldersburg, Maryland, Oct. 22, 2022. The new readiness center supports the Maryland Army National Guard's 200th Military Police Company and the 729th Quartermaster Company.Andrews Air Force Bases Annual Award winners pose for a photo with acting Secretary of the Air Force, F. Whitten Peters, Brigadier General James A. Hawkins, USAF, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing (AW), and CHIEF MASTER Sergeant Francis R. Estevez, USAF, 89th AW Command CHIEF MASTER Sergeant. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)NAPLES, ITALY -- U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Fire Chief Nicholas Panzica, right, presents the Civilian Service Achievement medal to Italian Fire Chief Giovanni Rippa, left, for 37 years of faithful service to the NSA Naples Fire Station, on Sept. 30, 2022. NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael "Myke" L. Lewis Jr., chief warrant officer of the aviation branch, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, visited his alma mater, North Davidson High School, April 25, 2022, at Lexington, North Carolina.Office of Civil Rights - Veterans Day - Admiral Michelle J Howard speaking at a Veterans Day Event , Environmental Protection AgencySecretary Dirk Kempthorne and aides meeting at Main Interior with three of the federal agency officials who helped lead September's Insular Areas Health Summit: Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake; Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Health, Joxel Garcia; and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, David S.C. ChuCoast Guard Air Station - Clearwater - Vice Admiral Thad Allen Visit - 26-HK-277-30. Hurricane KatrinaGilbert Cisneros Jr., the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jacqueline Barnum, a logistics officer with Marine Air Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Dec. 2, 2022. During his visit, Cisneros was shown Miramars microgrid, power plant, and also discussed how social media can be used to mitigate issues in recruiting.U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Clinton Carlson, the commanding officer of USCGC Stone (WMSL 758), presents a plaque to Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, during a reception aboard the Stone in Rio de Janeiro, March 8, 2023. Stone is on a scheduled multi-mission deployment in the South Atlantic Ocean to counter illicit maritime activities and strengthen relationships for maritime sovereignty throughout the region.221109-N-N3764-1009BILLINGS, Montana (Nov. 9, 2022) - Sailors assigned to the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) visited their ships namesake city November 08-13, and participated in Veterans Day celebratory events. The Sailors are on a visit to their ships namesake to improve community relations and meet with local officials, students and media.Jang Seon Jung, Pyeongtaek City mayor, presents a certificate of commendation to Staff. Sgt. Paul Smith, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron fire department NCO in charge of logistics, during the 19th Republic of Korea and the United States Cultural Festival, in front of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 8, 2022. Smith was awarded the certificate for his selfless service and dedication to the development of a citizen centered new Pyeongtaek City.Brigadier General Renea Dorvalls family pinned her with her current rank at a promotion ceremony held in the Helena Armed Forces Reserve Center auditorium on Jan. 6, 2023.Dorvall serves as the Assistant Adjutant General - Army and as commander of the Montana Army National Guard.U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, center, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), awards a letter of appreciation to Todd Murata, left, business recreation general manager for Marine Corps Community Services, and Kevin Kashiwai, manager of Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, for successfully hosting the first International Golf Tournament co-hosted between MARFORPAC and U.S. Pacific Air Forces at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 6, 2022. The tournament focused on camaraderie and international fellowship to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Representatives of six allies and partners participated in the event alongside U.S. service members.WARSAW, Poland - From left: Zsolt Balla, Federal Military Rabbi in Germany, Hillel Cohen, Military Rabbinate of Ukraine, U.S Air Force Capt. Levy Pekar, chaplain, 86th Airlift Wing based out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and U.S. Army V Corps Chaplain Col. Benjamin Sprouse, pose for a photo with a Torah Scroll dedicated to the Ukrainian Army after the signing ceremony was completed, Nov. 29, 2022, Warsaw, Poland. Jewish Chaplains alongside distinguished guests, refugees from Ukraine, and U.S. ally partner nations attended the event to support the Ukrainian Chaplaincys religious support efforts.From left to right, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ian Friel, Pacific Angel 22-4 TLS mission commander, Maria Natalie, Timor-Leste Minister of Public Health director of policy, planning and cooperation, and Maj. Manuel Mended Pereira, second-in-charge of medical planning for the Timor-Leste Defense Force, take a photo at the Dili Health Care Leaders Summit 2022, Sept. 5, in Dili, Timor-Leste, prior to PAC ANGEL 22-4. The summit, led by Pacific Air Forces medical personnel, was a forum for health care subject matter experts to exchange knowledge regarding top clinic and public health concerns and best practices. Pacific Angel operations build relationships between partner and allied nations and the United States, promoting military-civilian-nongovernmental organization cooperation and improving the quality of their response and their coordination with civilian disaster response agencies and regional partners.Jobi (Stumpf) Spolum, management analyst with the Fort McCoy Plans, Analysis, and Information Office, holds the Medal of Honor certificate May 24, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis., that was presented to her father, retired Sgt. Maj. Kenneth E. Stumpf, by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Spolum is a 22-year U.S. Army employee a Fort McCoy.Jobi (Stumpf) Spolum, management analyst with the Fort McCoy Plans, Analysis, and Information Office, holds the Medal of Honor certificate May 24, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis., that was presented to her father, retired Sgt. Maj. Kenneth E. Stumpf, by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Spolum is a 22-year U.S. Army employee a Fort McCoy.Secretary Dirk Kempthorne meeting at Main Interior with delegation of Idaho police officersSSG Maria Henriquez, former supply sgt. for the 982nd Signal Company Combat Camera, receives a plaque award for her 3 year service to the 982nd Signal Company Combat Camera in East Point, Ga on August 13, 2022. Henriquez served as the Supply Sgt for the 982nd Signal Company Combat Camera from 2019 to 2022.U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Andrew Carlson, the executive officer of Recruiting Station San Diego, left, and Sgt. Christian Deocampo, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Clairmont, right, pose for a photo with Nicholas Defina, a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship recipient, at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, California, December 8, 2022. Students selected for this prestigious scholarship program must uphold strict physical fitness standards and successfully complete additional military courses while maintaining normal college coursework responsibilities.Office of the Secretary (Carlos Gutierrez) - Department of Defense Naitonal Guard and Reserve Cabinet SigningU.S. Air Force Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Shae Gee, 6th ARW command chief, right, pose for a photo with Brandi Moss, unit program coordinator for the 6th Civil Engineering Squadron, during the Champ of the Week recognition at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Jan. 31, 2023. Moss manages nine programs and over 4,000 personnel actions, organizing all-calls, 257 meetings, 11 inspections, 76 teleconferences, and six distinguished visitor briefings and is currently serving as the squadron secretary which requires her to coordinate multiple task reviews and strategic messages.The 168th Wing hosted a Dining Out event in Fairbanks, Alaska, for Airmen to keep Air Force traditions alive and continue morale-building ceremonies. The Air Force Dining Out event started approximately in the 1930s with Army Air Corps General H. Hap Arnolds Wing Dings. The guest speaker at the 2022 168th WG Dining Out was Gregory D. Gadson, a motivational speaker, retired Colonel in the United States Army, and former commander of the U.S. Army Fort Belvoir Garrison. He is also a bilateral above-the-knee amputee.U.S. Marines with Recruiting Station Cleveland pose for a photo with students from Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South High School as they are awarded for academic performance at a Great American Rivalry Series game in Madison Heights, Michigan, Oct. 22, 2022. Recruiters conducted a pull-up challenge, passed out t-shirts and presented scholarships to the students of the two schools.Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Freeride Coombs announces Quinn Mair as the recipient of the NROTC Scholarship as Petty Officer First Class Shelbi Lowe congratulates.The Alaska Air National Guard 168th Mission Support Contracting Team was amongst this years winners of the Mission Execution Team Award in recognition of their exceptional service support to the USPFO-AK, National Guard Bureau, which effectively increased sustainability. (U.S. Air National Guard graphic by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)