History of JINSA’s Grateful Nation Award
The Grateful Nation Award, established in 2003, is presented annually to six young heroes recognized for having distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism. Honorees are chosen by their respective service and come from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks. Honorees represent each of the five branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
2017 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Master Sergeant Michael B. Woodman, United States Army
The Grateful Nation Award, established in 2003, is presented annually to six young heroes recognized for having distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism. Honorees are chosen by their respective service and come from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks. Honorees represent each of the five branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
2017 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Master Sergeant Michael B. Woodman, United States Army
Gunnery Sergeant Patricia L. Reynolds, United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant Andrew J. Lang, United States Navy
Maritime Enforcement Specialist Chief Robert M. Freeman, United States Coast Guard
Senior Master Sergeant Howard T. Loughran, United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant Alan A. Gonzales, USAF, United States Special Operations Command
2016 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Staff Sergeant Jared Gabriel, United States Army
Gunnery Sergeant Craig J. Wilcox, United States Marine Corps
Senior Chief Petty Officer Benny M. Flores, United States Navy
Lieutenant Commander Jonathan I. Schafler, United States Coast Guard
Senior Master Sergeant Michael G. Becker, United States Air Force
Captain Randy S. Buckley, United States Army – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
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2015 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Major Lee Spencer Wallace, United States Army
Sergeant Amanda J. Eason, United States Marine Corps
Petty Officer First Class John Palomares, United States Navy
Chief Machinery Technician William Haynes, United States Coast Guard
Technical Sergeant James P. Fitzgerald, United States Air Force
Captain Eric Barger, United States Army – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2014 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Captain James Boston, United States Army
Staff Sergeant Adel M. Abudayeh, United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant Commander Andrew W. Boyden, United States Navy
Chief Boatswain’s Mate Douglas H. Schneider, United States Coast Guard
Captain Daniel J. Beirne, United States Air Force
Major Timothy J. Rott, United States Air Force – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2013 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Second Lieutenant Robert A. Heber, Jr., United States Army
Sergeant Anthony A. Arriaga, United States Marine Corps
Chief Petty Officer Brian P. High, United States Navy
Petty Officer Third Class Michael R. Brooks, United States Coast Guard
Staff Sergeant Michael T. Blout, United States Air Force
Captain William R. Wright, United States Army – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2012 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Sergeant First Class James T. Osaer, United States Army
Sergeant Brian Riddle, United States Marine Corps
Petty Officer Second Class Eric J. Strauss, United States Navy
Petty Officer First Class Jonathan Tatroe, United States Coast Guard
Technical Sergeant Clint T. Campbell (AFSOC), United States Air Force
Master Sergeant Paul L. Wiseman, USA (Special Forces) – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2011 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Master Sergeant Brendan O’Connor, United States Army
Sergeant Joseph M. Perez, United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyler Haught, United States Navy
Petty Officer Second Class Timothy Webb, United States Coast Guard
Technical Sergeant Theodor V. Hofknecht, United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant Graham H. Jacobs, USMC – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2010 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Staff Sergeant Christopher Waiters, United States Army
Corporal Darrel Hickey, United States Marine Corps
Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Adam L. Brown (posthumous), United States Navy
Petty Officer Second Class Brendon Ramos, United States Coast Guard
Staff Sergeant Christopher N. Freeman, United States Air Force
Petty Officer (SEAL) – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2009 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Sergeant Gregory S. Ruske, United States Army Reserve
Corporal Richard S. Weinmaster, United States Marine Corps
Senior Chief (SEAL) John W. Marcum (posthumous), United States Navy
Lieutenant Commander Thomas L. Boyles, United States Coast Guard
Major Austin A. Moore, United States Air Force
Technical Sergeant Christopher B. Grove, USAF – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2008 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Sergeant Monica L. Brown, United States Army
Staff Sergeant Phillip Anderson, United States Marine Corps
Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Douglas M. Day, United States Navy
Lieutenant Commander Eric S. Bernstein, United States Coast Guard
Master Sergeant Edward A. Tillman, United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant Zachary J. Rhyner, USAF – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2007 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Staff Sergeant Jason T. Fetty, United States Army Reserve
Staff Sergeant Jose Romero, United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant (SEAL) Seth Stone, United States Navy
Petty Officer Second Class Jesse K. Gitchel, United States Coast Guard
Staff Sergeant Elizabeth C. Spradley, United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant Ryan A. Wallace, USAF – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2006 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Staff Sergeant Christopher Choay, United States Army
Sergeant Jason A. Gagliano, United States Marine Corps
Petty Officer Second Class Jacob A. Phillips, United States Navy
Petty Officer Third Class Troy E. Meyer, United States Coast Guard
Senior Airman Charity Trueblood, United States Air Force
Technical Sergeant Aaron F. May, USAF – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2005 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, United States Army (Posthumously)
Staff Sergeant Mark H. Graunke, Jr., United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant (SEAL) Walter H. Allman, III, United States Navy
Petty Officer Third Class Aaron Dwoskin, United States Coast Guard
Senior Airman Joshua Beach, United States Air Force
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Christopher Kyle, USN – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2004 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
Sergeant First Class Robert Frank Lieske, United States Army
Corporal Gary A. Spangler, United States Marine Corps
Seaman Luis E. Fonseca Jr., United States Navy
Officer First Class Heidi Eystad, United States Coast Guard
Technical Sergeant Robert F. Jeeves, United States Air Force
Master Sergeant Roger A. Thompson, USA – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
2003 Grateful Nation Award Honorees
First Sergeant John R. Hawley, United States Army
Corporal Seth Wells, United States Marine Corps Reserve
Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SEAL) Stephen Bass, United States Navy
Chief Boatswain’s Mate Paula Jaklitsch, United States Coast Guard Reserve
Master Sergeant Michael Lamonica, United States Air Force
Major George Thiebes, USA – Representing U.S. Special Operations Command
