WIESBADEN, Germany —
U.S. Army Europe and Africa formally recognized eight Soldiers during the USAREUR-AF-level 2023 Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award ceremony, held Jan.19 on Clay Kaserne, Germany.
The MacArthur Leadership Award program was introduced in 1987 to recognize company-grade and junior warrant officers who demonstrate MacArthur’s ideals of “Duty, Honor, Country,” and have a proven record of extraordinary performance, leadership, and achievement.
“Good leadership is vital, and it starts with our company grade and junior warrant officers. Together with our fine NCOs, they are the people who have the closest contact with our Soldiers at the small-unit level,” said Gen. Darryl Williams, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander and host of the ceremony.
This year’s winners are:
- Capt. Benjamin Smith, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Brigade Combat Team, Southern European Task Force – Africa
- Capt. Karl Bliven, 260th Transportation Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
- Capt. Freelie Mitchell, 64th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support, 30th Medical Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jovani Adachi, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Brigade Combat Team, Southern European Task Force - Africa
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Isea Young, F Company, V Corps Forward G1
Despite being singled out for their individual achievements, winners of the award noted they couldn’t have done it alone.
“Winning this award is all about the team,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jovani Adachi. “This is more for the Soldiers; I wouldn’t be the leader I am without their support.”
The five USAREUR-AF winners will now compete against junior leaders from other major Army commands across the Army. Only 25 officers and three warrant officers in the active, National Guard and Reserve components will receive the Army-level award.
The competition’s runners-up are:
- Capt. Stephen Jackson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
- Capt. Daniel Deardorff, E Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, V Corps
- Capt. Gregory Fitzpatrick, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, V Corps