Louisiana National Guard Soldiers receive coveted coin of excellence

Photo By Angela Fry | Approximately 80 Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers from the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, La., participate in a three-week overseas training mission in Hohenfels, Germany. The mission included various engineer-specific construction projects to improve the training sites offered at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, which falls under the command of the U.S. Army.  

HOHENFELS, GERMANY

10.07.2008

Story by 2nd Lt. Angela Fry 

Louisiana National Guard

By Sgt. Angela K. Fry
Louisiana Army Air and National Guard

HOHENFELS, Germany – Three Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers from the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, La., were awarded the coveted Coin of Excellence from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center Commander and Command Sergeant Major Coin on Aug. 22, 2008, in Hohenfels, Germany.

The Soldiers, who traveled to Germany in support of a three-week overseas training mission at the JMRC, which falls under the command of the U.S. Army, received the award for their distinguished performances during the assignment.

"We fully recognize the sacrifices these Soldiers have made," said JMRC Senior Enlisted Advisor Command Sgt. Maj. Frank L. Graham. "They came to Germany, away from their friends and family, to improve the training facilities for our deploying Soldiers."

Sgt. Wayne Tidwell of Schwartz, La., is a full-time mechanic in Monroe with the National Guard. During the mission in Germany, he transported Soldiers from the 528th across the military post and into the neighboring community of Parsburg for morale, welfare and relaxation excursions. Tidwell was recognized for his selfless service by the command staff of the rotation.

"Sgt. Tidwell sacrificed most of his free time over the past three weeks to make sure our Soldiers had what they needed," said 1023rd 1st Sgt. Larry Morgan, of Pineville, La. "He never complained and his selfless service is a credit to the Louisiana National Guard."

Pvt. Timothy Ross of New Orleans, with the Headquarters Support Company in Monroe, La., is currently the only qualified surveyor assigned to the 528th. His mission while in Germany was to become more familiar with surveying techniques by training with active component and specialized military surveying units assigned to the JMRC.

"Our plans for Ross were for him to train and improve on his military surveying skills," Morgan explained. "Once the other units and the active component realized the depth of his civilian-acquired skills, they actually used him for training."

After only two days on the job site, Ross' civilian surveying knowledge was instrumental in the completion of the dirt work for the foundation to be used as a part of the future construction of a cinder block building in a Military Operations in Urban Terrain training village.

Also receiving the prestigious coin was Sgt. Bryan A. Lingefelt of Oak Grove, La. Lingefelt is assigned to Detachment 2, 921st Horizontal Engineer Company as a heavy equipment operator.

During the three-week training mission, Lingefelt operated a road grader in the construction of various roads on the training sites of the JMRC. Lingefelt was recognized for his willingness to report to the projects early and stay late to ensure the completion of assignments.

Staff Sgt. Alllen L. Henderson of Pioneer, La., and a squad leader with Detachment 2, 921st Engineer Company in Oak Grove said, "He really made things happen and strived to motivate those around him."

Approximately 80 Soldiers from the 528th traveled to Hohenfels, Germany on Aug. 2, 2008, to participate in the overseas mission and support the quality of training facilities for Soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. The troops returned to Monroe on Aug. 23, 2008.

• Date Taken: 10.07.2008
• Date Posted: 10.09.2008 10:34
• Story ID: 24734
• Location: HOHENFELS, DE