CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre presented Sgt. 1st Class Leadell J. Smith with the Bronze Star and Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal during an awards ceremony Sept. 26, 2013 at Engineer Village, Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith was presented with the medals in recognition for his exceptionally meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Sharana Area and as the movement noncommissioned officer for the Kabul Area Office, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, from Dec. 28, 2012 to Sept. 27, 2013.
During his tenure, his exemplary leadership, skill and ceaseless efforts resulted in the successful execution of $804 million worth of quality construction encompassing over 78 Afghan National Security Forces facilities as well as planned and executed more than 1,000 ground movements and more than 600 air movements for Sharana and Kabul Area offices combined spanning Regional Command-East and North.
According to Maj. Gen. Eyre, over the last 26 years as a Corps of Engineer noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Smith’s leadership, professionalism competence, strong devotion to duty and country, and high standards of integrity and character clearly set the standard for his colleagues and subordinates.
His distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army.
The Bronze Star is normally awarded to U.S. officers and senior enlisted who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard has distinguished, himself or herself by acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
The Army Engineer Association on behalf of the Engineer Regiment awards the medal to honor individuals who have provided significant contributions to Army engineering. There are four levels of the de Fleury: Steel, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Engineer Regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal as an award because of the values demonstrated by the man for whom it was struck - French engineer Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury, who in 1777 volunteered to serve with the American Army in its fight for independence from Britain.