FORT HOOD, Texas — Six Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division received the Ivor McKay "Iron Major" Award for outstanding contributions to the division, April 20, at the Ivy Division Headquarters.
The Ivor McKay "Iron Major" award was first presented in 2001 when the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery commander, then Col. Jeffery Hammond recognized one of its outstanding officers, Maj. Bob McGlaughlin. Since then, "Iron Majors" have been recognized within the 4th Inf. Div., first with the 4th Fires Bde. and now from the division headquarters with representative from each of the Ivy Division's brigades.
"Years ago when the Hammond family first came to Fort Hood, I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with Lt. Col. (Ret.) McKay, he spoke to me about being a Soldier and setting standards of conduct, and became my personal mentor, as well as the ideal for a Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commander of the 4th Inf. Div.
The leadership from 1st Brigade Combat Team selected Maj. Larry Burris, who currently serves as the 1st Brigade Combat Team's S3. During Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-2009 Burris spearheaded the operational planning which lead to the successful January Iraqi elections and the isolation of criminal elements in the Raider BDE area of operation.
The Ivy Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team selected Maj. Neal Corson, who is currently deployed to Iraq and serves as the Special Troops Battalion executive officer. He joined the ceremony via video teleconference from Iraq. As the XO he shoulders the responsibility to ensure high quality logistics, maintenance and adminstrative support for the units current deployed and serving with the brigade.
The leadership from 3rd BCT selected Maj. Bryan Gibby, who serves as the brigade S2. During OIF 07-09, he lead the intelligence fight enabling the capture of more than 80 high value targets; caused the destruction of eight improvised-explosive device cells; and the defeat of criminal leadership groups during the fight in Sadr City. His ability to identify threats in the Striker area of operation saved lives and was a key factor in the brigade successful deployment.
The leadership from 4th BCT selected Maj. James Lock, currently the XO for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT. He was selected for his action as the battalion S3 during the last rotation to Iraq and for its future deployment to Afghanistan. He continues to lead his unit as they train and re-equip.
The division's Combat Aviation Brigade selected Maj. Joseph Degliuomini, who serves as the S3 for the 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation regiment. He joined the ceremony via VTC from Camp Taji, Iraq. While deployed he balances the operational demands and aircraft maintenance requirements to insure safe and successful missions.
Leadership from the Division Special Troops Battalion selected Maj. Jason Caldwell, who currently serves as the Ivy Division's knowledge management officer. His expertise and analytical skills guaranteed the Iron Horse Portal exceeded all expectations during the division's recent deployment. He made the portal more user friendly which in turn allowed information to be more readily exchanged throughout Multi-National Division — Baghdad area of operation. The Iron Horse Portal saved hundreds of thousands of man-hours in analysis and data collection and Caldwell's efforts has left a lasting impact on the Army's knowledge management community.
The name sake for this award is Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivor McKay who has held every rank from private to lieutenant colonel, except for staff sergeant in his 29-year career that spanned World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. McKay first deployed to combat in 1944 at the age of 24. Where he was injured in the battle for the Siegfried Line September 1944 and spent 27 months in a hospital.
"It is a great honor to be associated with this award and with this division, but I don't feel like I did anything to deserve it, I did what I was told and tried to stay out of trouble," said McKay.
"One of the highlights of my career was meeting Maj. Gen. Hammond, and if anything I did helped him in his career, it is an honor," said McKay.