The Association of the U.S. Army has announced the recipients of its 2024 National Awards, which honor individuals for their selfless service and dedication to the Army and its soldiers.

“Congratulations to our National Award recipients! We are tremendously grateful for their commitment, dedication, selfless service and support to soldiers and our Army,” said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. “They set an example for us all, and every one of our honorees has made a difference in the lives of others, our Army and our nation. They embody the very best of AUSA, and I can’t wait to honor them in October.”

The awards will be presented at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 14–16 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

During the annual meeting, AUSA also will honor the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer as the 2024 recipient of the George Catlett Marshall Medal. AUSA’s highest award, the Marshall Medal is presented for distinguished and selfless service.

This is not the first time the Medal has gone to a group instead of a person. In 2020, the Marshall Medal was awarded to The Army Family. It was awarded to The American Soldier in 2004.

Here’s a look at this year’s National Award recipients.

Abrams Medal

The General Creighton W. Abrams Medal for exceptional service to the U.S. Army will be awarded to retired Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson, a former deputy Army chief of staff for operations, plans and training who since November 2019 has led Rafael Systems Global Sustainment as its president and CEO.

“Joe Anderson is everything I believe a soldier should be when wearing the uniform and after the uniform is put away,” Robert Wilkie, former Veterans Affairs secretary and a former undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, wrote in a letter recommending Anderson for the award. “If there ever was a soldier who would have made Creighton Abrams proud, it is Joe Anderson.”

Karen Lowe, executive vice president of AUSA’s George Washington chapter, nominated Anderson for the award. Calling him a “soldier’s soldier,” Lowe said Anderson has “seamlessly and continuously contributed to the advancement of the U.S. Army since his retirement” in June 2019.

“His leadership and people skills are unsurpassed, and his commitment to soldiers and families is beyond reproach,” Lowe said in her nomination.

A 1981 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Anderson commanded units from platoon to corps, including 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment; the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade; the 4th Infantry Division; and the XVIII Airborne Corps.

His operational deployments and combat tours include Operation Just Cause, Task Force Hawk-Albania, Task Force Falcon-Kosovo, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

He retired after serving as the deputy Army chief of staff for operations, plans and training, G-3/5/7.

While no longer in uniform, Anderson continues to serve service members, veterans and their families, including serving as chairman of the board for Our Community Salutes and as a director for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Patton Veterans Project and Feherty’s Troops First Foundation.

He also is a member of the Board on Army Research and Development at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and co-chair of the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Retired Soldier Council.

Anderson is “truly an extraordinary leader,” Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, wrote in a letter endorsing Anderson for the award.

“No matter where he was stationed or what his leadership role was, he has steadfastly supported those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom in the most impactful way,” she said. “His leadership and support are truly unparalleled, and we are forever grateful to now have his engagement and advocacy on our Board of Directors.”

Drexel Biddle Medal

The Major General Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Medal for outstanding contributions to the Association of the U.S. Army will be awarded to Kris McBride, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Alabama (North) and a past president of AUSA’s Third Region.

She is currently vice president for recruiting for AUSA’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter.

“Her exceptional reputation within the community, coupled with her profound understanding of the Total Army and its current priorities, is unparalleled,” Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, acting commanding general of Army Materiel Command, which has its headquarters at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, wrote in a letter endorsing McBride for the award.

“Ms. McBride has consistently demonstrated her unwavering advocacy for the Army throughout her distinguished career,” Mohan wrote. “From her impactful contributions to the industry to her leadership roles within the Association of the United States Army, including presidency at both the local chapter and the Third Region, she has consistently proven herself as a dedicated supporter of our nation's defense.”

Nominated by Marc Jacobson, president of the Redstone-Huntsville chapter, McBride is a community volunteer and retired defense industry executive. She is a part-time senior business counselor for the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s APEX Accelerator, where she advises small businesses interested in doing business with government at the federal, state and local levels.

McBride served in various leadership positions in AUSA’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter for more than a decade before becoming the chapter president from 2013–2015. During her tenure, she led the chapter to two Best Chapter awards, added a Young Professionals Program to help ensure the future health of the organization, began a program to brief National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers on benefits available to them and worked on an hourlong Memorial Day special that aired in prime time on a local television station to increase public recognition of soldiers’ sacrifices.

McBride was AUSA’s Third Region president from 2016–2020, guiding 19 chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Panama and Puerto Rico to generate support for the Army, soldiers, their families and Army civilians.

Since 2017, she has served as chair of the 2nd Army Recruiting Brigade’s Regional Partnership Council, which includes raising awareness of the opportunities offered by Army service.

“Kris is a trusted voice and bridge-builder for the Army in North Alabama,” Mohan wrote. “Leveraging her extensive networks with academia, industry leaders, elected officials, local veterans, civilians, soldiers and their families, she consistently works towards enhancing the Army's mission and well-being.”

McLain Medal

The Lieutenant General Raymond S. McLain Medal, given to a current or former member of the National Guard for advancing a seamless and component-integrated Army, will be awarded to retired Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who retired in August after serving as director of the Army National Guard.

“Lt. Gen. Jensen was a steadfast and consistent advocate for the Army chief of staff’s top priority—people,” wrote Joseph Baldwin of AUSA’s George Washington chapter in nominating Jensen for the award. In addition to prioritizing recruiting efforts amid a tough recruiting environment, Jensen worked with Army senior leaders, the chief of the National Guard Bureau and the state adjutants general to synchronize force structure and modernization efforts to improve equipment, individual and unit readiness across the Army National Guard.

“During his tenure … Jensen developed and employed battle rhythm events that enhanced external communication and improved organizational effectiveness and preparedness, Baldwin wrote.

Jensen also ensured regular and open communication and synchronization with key commands across the Army, as well as the states, territories and the District of Columbia. These efforts ensured the Guard was well positioned to respond to contingencies at home and overseas, Baldwin wrote.

“Jensen’s devotion, dedication and tireless efforts helped to shape the future of the Army National Guard, improve external communications and internal governance, and prepare the organization to meet the increasing demands at both the state and national levels,” Baldwin wrote.

Commissioned as an infantry officer, Jensen has deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Bosnia, and he was the adjutant general of Minnesota from November 2017 to August 2020. He commanded the 34th Infantry Division and was deputy commander for U.S. Army Africa and the Southern European Task Force.

Retired Gen. Frank Grass, who was the 27th chief of the National Guard Bureau from September 2012 to August 2016, wrote that he first met then-Maj. Jensen 23 years ago.

“Since that chance meeting in Kuwait many years ago, I have been so impressed to see Lt. Gen. Jensen grow into a determined Army senior officer always focused on the three missions of the Army National Guard: provide combat ready Army National Guard forces when called to federal service as a combat reserve of the U.S. Army, respond to missions in support of the governors during crisis in the homeland, and build military partnerships both here at home and abroad,” Grass wrote in a letter endorsing Jensen for the award.

“The Total Army—active, National Guard and Reserve—has benefited greatly from the leadership of Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen,” Grass wrote.

Rudder Medal

The Major General James Earl Rudder Medal, given to a current or former member of the U.S. Army Reserve for advancing a seamless and component-integrated Army, is awarded to retired Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, who retired this summer after completing her tenure as chief of the U.S. Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command.

The first woman to lead the Army Reserve, Daniels’ tenure was “inspirational and transformational, … addressing issues head-on, forging creative solutions, gaining trust and buy-in at the lowest level, and readying the Army Reserve for strategic competition in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous global environment,” wrote Stephen Austin, of AUSA’s Potomac Liberty chapter and assistant chief of the Army Reserve, in nominating Daniels for the award.

Among her achievements, Daniels provided critical support during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as 4,700 Army Reserve soldiers mobilized to support hospitals and agencies across the country. She also refocused the Army Reserve on tough, realistic training, mitigated recruiting and retention challenges, developed more opportunities for soldiers leaving the service, and implemented measures for large-scale mobilization readiness.

Daniels also addressed stagnant enlisted promotions by expanding eligibility and filling the ranks with much-needed sergeants and other NCOs.

She also worked to engage with AUSA and its programs to talk about the Army Reserve and highlight the component’s contributions to the Total Army.

Before leading the Army Reserve, Daniels commanded the 88th Readiness Division, the 87th Army Reserve Support Command (East) and the 2200th Military Intelligence Group. She also served as chief of staff for Army Forces Command and in key intelligence roles with the Army intelligence directorate and U.S. Africa Command.

She has deployed to Kosovo and Iraq. In her civilian career, Daniels was director of advanced programs for Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Laboratories. She has a doctorate in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Bainbridge Medal

The Sergeant Major of the Army William G. Bainbridge Medal for contributions to the Army Noncommissioned Officer Corps will be awarded to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Elder, an AUSA senior fellow who served on the board of governors for the association’s Central Texas chapter.

“Above and beyond his impressive military service, [Elder] continually serves as a mentor and support to soldiers transitioning to the civilian workforce,” Nancy Patterson, of the Central Texas chapter, wrote in a letter nominating Elder for the award. “Dan stands in the gap to help new members understand our programs, and he is skillful at empowering people to serve others. … Dan is an all-around great human who is there to support anyone in need, especially our soldiers and their families.”

Elder joined the Army in December 1981 and served for 26 years, including as a mechanic, squad leader and senior drill sergeant. He served several assignments as a command sergeant major, culminating as the senior enlisted leader for Army Materiel Command.

A veteran of Iraq, Bosnia and Croatia, Elder was the first enlisted soldier to be selected as an AUSA senior fellow. He is a seasoned military historian who has authored and edited many books and articles, including Soldier for Life, NCO Guide and Sergeants Major of the Army.

Elder is the “consummate leader and community partner and sets the example for both military and civilians alike to emulate,” retired Maj. Gen. Kendall Cox, president of the AUSA Central Texas chapter and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Texas-Central, wrote in a letter endorsing Elder.

Elder regularly engages with leaders at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and across the community, offering support, guidance and mentorship, Cox wrote.

“His passion for ensuring the best outcomes for our soldiers, their families and this community is unsurpassed, and the leadership on Fort Cavazos and across the Central Texas community recognize his efforts,” Cox wrote. “He is a total professional who represents all the ideals of the United States Army and AUSA, and he is fully dedicated to selfless service to our nation.”

Cribbins Medal

The Joseph P. Cribbins Medal for exemplary service by a Department of the Army civilian will be awarded to Benjamin Lukefahr, an Army civilian for nearly 15 years who is currently director, headquarters, for U.S. Army Hawaii. Lukefahr also has been AUSA’s Pacific Region president since July 2016.

In his role with the Army, Lukefahr is staff director over all Army civilian programs and advises the commander of the Title 10 responsibilities, including manning, training and equipment, and associated programs for the nine general officer commands and six separate brigades aligned under U.S. Army Hawaii.

He is “recognized as a team player, mentor and valued professional over some of the most demanding of missions within the command with flawless execution,” Tracy Lanier of AUSA’s Hawaii chapter wrote in a letter nominating Lukefahr for the award.

“His oversight and direct involvement with all aspects of installation readiness, training programs and sustainment operations are impressive,” Lanier wrote.

A retired intelligence officer who served 30 years in the Army, Lukefahr’s involvement in the Red Hill water and Army housing crises are just two examples of his exceptional performance, Lanier wrote.

In 2020, while contending with health and safety issues, U.S. Army Hawaii worked closely with each of the commands in Hawaii to exceed directed visitation or inspection requirements for more than 7,800 homes and 3,400 barracks rooms.

During the Red Hill water crisis in 2021, when an underground fuel storage facility leaked fuel into the freshwater aquifer under Oahu, Lukefahr and his team worked tirelessly to support affected families, earning the Superior Unit Award, Lanier wrote.

As a volunteer, Lukefahr served in key leadership roles in the local AUSA chapter, leading it to win three Best Chapter awards, before becoming the Pacific Region president. He also helped grow the chapter’s Community Partners, from fewer than 10 to more than 60 during his time as chapter president.

“Over the past year, I have observed the exemplary performance of [Lukefahr] as a Department of the Army civilian serving as my senior civilian advisor, his significant contributions to our community and as an active member of the Association of the United States Army,” Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, wrote in a letter endorsing Lukefahr for the award. “I could not think of a better candidate for this distinction.”

Volunteer Family of the Year

The AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Award for promoting the well-being of soldiers and their family members is presented to the family of Lt. Col. Tony Messenger.

Messenger, his wife, Amy, and their four sons, Connor, Liam, Colin and Keegan, embody the phrase “Staying Ready Together” while “selflessly sharing their time and talents” in the Fort Jackson, South Carolina, community, Silvia Butler, vice president of Programs and Awards for AUSA’s Fort Jackson-Palmetto State chapter, wrote in nominating the family.

“They are true innovators and trendsetters that helped shape what family support looks like across Fort Jackson today,” Butler wrote.

Entering the Army as an enlisted soldier in 1998, Tony Messenger was a staff sergeant when he was selected for a Green to Gold scholarship. He commissioned as an infantry officer in 2005 and later became a Special Forces officer. He has deployed to Iraq and Syria and now commands 3rd Squadron, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

Before his current assignment, Tony Messenger commanded 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Jackson. During his tenure, the Messengers revived the battalion’s Soldier Family Readiness Group and began the 72-hour room initiative, which gives drill sergeants a chance to spend time with their families during one of the most critical and time-consuming periods of the training cycle, Butler wrote.

At the end of the first 72 hours, during which drill sergeants work weekends to pick up incoming trainees, the Messengers coordinate breakfast—usually consisting of 20 pounds of bacon, 15 dozen eggs, fruit trays and more—and lunch and a potluck dinner. “At every event, Mrs. Messenger participates in the cooking and feeding of families,” Butler wrote.

The Messengers spend their time and money on the event every cycle. “The room is used by over 150 soldiers, 75 family members and 36 kids on a nine-week cycle,” Butler wrote. “From 2021 to present, approximately 865 soldiers, 430 family members and 180 children have benefited, which resulted in more quality time with their loved ones.”

They also established a Readiness and Resiliency Meditation Room, equipped with zero gravity chairs, massage chairs and white noise machines, that’s used by about 150 drill sergeants every day. They also established a lactation room for new and expecting mothers in the unit.

Two of the Messengers’ sons, Connor and Liam, helped establish a partnership with Richland Northeast High School that improved ties between junior ROTC and Fort Jackson, and the family coordinated the first all-staff visit from the high school to the installation.

The Messengers initiated a junior ROTC family day, providing 40 families with the opportunity to meet and talk to more than 35 drill sergeants about serving in the Army, and coordinated a mentorship program between 30 drill sergeants and more than 50 at-risk teens from the high school.

“The Messenger family … always strives to give their best within their family and strives to give their best to others,” Butler wrote. “Through selfless service, dedication, volunteerism and talents, the Messenger family exemplifies the values of the Army family.”

Dixon Award

The John W. Dixon Award for outstanding contributions to national defense from industry will be awarded to Rey Almodóvar, co-founder and CEO emeritus of Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation.

Almodóvar co-founded Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, known as INTUITIVE, in 1999, and during his 25-year tenure, he spearheaded one of the most successful aerospace engineering and analysis companies in Alabama.

In February 2023, he was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

Additionally, Almodóvar was chairman of the board of directors for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the School of Engineering Industry Advisory Board of his alma mater, the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez.

In October 2016, Almodóvar was appointed by Alabama’s governor to the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission and has since served on the Business Committee. In February 2019, INTUITIVE was proud to partner with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to establish a state-of-the-art planetarium, the only place in the region to showcase cutting-edge technology for guests, camp trainees, school children and adults of all ages to experience shows about the solar system, galaxy, universe and beyond.

Through the years, Almodóvar has dedicated his engineering career to establishing a first-rate regional, statewide and nationally esteemed corporation that has grown steadily and earned recognition from industry leaders, national publications and, most importantly, its own employees.

Almodóvar “has proven time and time again to be a selfless leader,” Vergenia Shelton, INTUITIVE’s current president and CEO, wrote in nominating Almodóvar for the award. “He leads by example, and INTUITIVE excels not only technically and professionally, but with the highest levels of ethics and integrity. Under his leadership, INTUITIVE evolved into a successful and progressive nationally recognized Best Place to Work professional engineering and analytical firm with a reputation for solving our nation's toughest challenges.”

Shelton also lauded Almodóvar’s dedication to his community. “He spends countless hours dedicated to teaching, mentoring and developing others to overcome obstacles and become successful,” she wrote.

National Service Award

AUSA is honored to present its National Service Award to the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Founded in 2006, the foundation raises awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and military families and invests in programs to support them in the next chapter of their lives.

In 2006, Bob Woodruff was on assignment in Iraq for ABC’s World News Tonight when his armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, and Woodruff suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury.

Quick action by soldiers, medics and military medical personnel saved Woodruff’s life, and he was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he spent 36 days in a medically induced coma.

His wife, Lee, got to know the families of service members dealing with the impact of invisible wounds such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. As Woodruff recovered, he and his family resolved to raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and military families.

In 2023 alone, the foundation invested more than $12 million in 120 programs across the country, addressing critical needs such as housing stability, mental health, social connection and legal and employment services.

The foundation’s Got Your 6 Network, which spans all 50 states and brings together national and local organizations to provide help and support to service members, veterans and their families, grew to include 32 new partners in 2023. The network is now accessible to 99% of the 20.6 million veterans and service members nationwide.

Additionally, the foundation responded to crises such as Hurricanes Ian and Debby and the fires in Maui by quickly mobilizing resources and grants to support affected troops, veterans and their families.

To date, the foundation has invested more than $159 million in programs for troops, veterans and their families.