Armando Yturria, a retired Army Special Forces sergeant major and a member of the Association of the U.S. Army, was recently recognized by the Quilts of Valor Foundation for his distinguished military service as a special operations leader.

Yturria, who is now a Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigator, retired from the Army in 2005 after 25 years of service and multiple deployments.

He was presented a Quilt of Valor by Anne Mixon, the foundation’s state coordinator, and Tammany McDaniel, the organization’s national executive director, during ceremonies attended by senior military and RCSD officers as well as AUSA members.

“Armando’s extraordinary service to his country parallels his equally committed exceptional service as a law enforcement officer to this department and to the many communities we serve,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who also is AUSA’s Fort Jackson-Palmetto State chapter president.

“This is also reflected in the love and commitment he has always demonstrated and given to his family, all of whom well know the meaning of sacrifice and service.”

Quilts of Valor, which has its headquarters in Winterset, Iowa, was founded by Army mom Catherine Roberts in 2003 when her son was deployed to Iraq.

Established as “Quilts for Soldiers,” Roberts eventually changed the name to honor veterans from all the services.

“Armando is the kind of model ground combat leader that, frankly, sets himself apart and at the same time draws other soldiers to him,” said retired Marine Corps Col. Steve Vitali.

Yturria, a Gold Star father, is married to Richland County Sheriff’s Capt. Maria Yturria, director of the department’s public information office. She also served in the Army and is an AUSA member.

For more information, visit Quilts of Valor at http://qovf.org.