Grateful Nation Award Recipients

Representing US Special Operations Command Major John P. Rowley, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service from October 2023 to June 2024 while deployed as the Operations Officer for two separate Joint Task Forces (JTF) in the US

Representing US Air Force Master Sergeant Brandon J. Sawyer distinguished himself as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, 96th Civil Engineer Group, 96th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Eglin Air Force Base,

Representing US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Maritime Enforcement Specialist Justin W. Mulkey, distinguished himself through exceptional service as the Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) 2 Squad Leader and senior Boarding Officer, during a boarding with Naval Special Warfare (NSW) off

Representing US Marine Corps Sergeant Jaryk D. Pitsch exemplified outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication while serving with Battery E, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, during the critical withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Stationed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in

Representing US Army Sergeant First Class Luke Donofrio, United States Army, is recognized for superior leadership, conspicuous gallantry, and dauntlessness in action against the enemy as a Squad Leader, specifically while deployed to a Joint Task Force in direct support

Representing US Air Force MSgt Garrison’s improvised explosive device emplacement analysis was relayed to the Iraqi Prime Minister leading to a surge of forces in Baghdad. He collected 4000 pieces of evidence resulting in 15 biometric hits capturing 9 terrorists. MSgt Garrison deployed to Kuwait for 6 months. He secured the perimeter of 53 sites worth

Representing US Army With over seventeen years of military service, 1SG Garett Strifler, the current First Sergeant of HHB, 3-27 FAR, has exceptionally impacted every organization he has served in. Enlisting in the Army as a Rocket System (MLRS/HIMARS) Crewmember

Representing U.S. Special Operations Command Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Joshua S. Goldberg, United States Navy, for superior leadership, conspicuous gallantry, and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Assault Team Leader, specifically while deployed to a Joint Task Force

Representing US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Elkantar distinguished himself with exceptionally superior service in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Gunnery Sergeant Elkantar volunteered to deploy where he expertly led a joint team of two military and 41 contracted

Representing U.S. Army Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City, MAJ Kyle Peatfield took part in Operation Noble Eagle from 2003-2004, working to ensure national security by securing key and vital installations and infrastructure throughout the