JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J., Sept. 11, 2010 -- In a ceremony at Sharpe Field before the Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 78th Training Brigade, the retired chief of staff of the 78th was honored for his exceptionally meritorious service to the brigade.
Col. Kenneth W. Webb, who recently retired after 30 years of service to the Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit by Brig. Gen. Walter B. Chahanovich, commanding general of the 78th Training Brigade.
"Col. Webb was brought to the unit by the former chief of staff, who gave him high recommendations," said Chahanovich. "Those recommendations were validated."
Webb was instrumental to the success of the Patriot Warrior Exercise, said Chahanovich. The Patriot Warrior Exercise, a major mission of the 78th, is a war exercise involving combat support and combat service and support units in live, collective tasks. Soldiers are given the chance to practice unit-mission tasks while completing simulated force-protection tasks. Before assuming the role of chief of staff, Webb served as the exercise coordinator.
"I needed a strong leader, and as chief, Col. Webb kept the organization on track, though the exercises and through transformation," said Chahanovich.
The Legion of Merit was established by Congress on July 20, 1942, and was amended by an executive order on March 15, 1955. It is awarded to officers and enlisted servicemembers of the armed forces of the United States and on nationals of other countries "who shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" since Sept. 8, 1939, the date of the president's proclamation of the state of emergency that led to World War II.
In addition to the Legion of Merit, Webb was presented with a plaque as an additional token of appreciation. A previous commanding general of the 78th decided, since the 78th had fought in the central European theatre twice during World War II, the unit's motto would be "Lightening Strikes Twice." This motto has been incorporated into the plaque that is given to members of the 78th who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service.
Webb thanked his family for their support over the duration of his career, and lauded the Soldiers of the 78th for their exceptional accomplishments.
"It is because of your efforts, your dedication, and the excellence of the jobs we have performed and the tough missions we have taken on," said Webb. "We could have sat back and let someone else take on these unit training exercises, but we didn't, we didn't shy away. We developed something that you can be proud of."
Webb departs the Army to continue his work as environmental project manager at Science Applications International Corp. He resides in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with his daughters Jacquelynn, Victoria, Samantha, Rebecca and Katherine.
Also honored with Legions of Merit during the ceremony were Col. Stephen J. McCahey, retired deputy commander of the 78th, and Col. Albert J. Porto, retired assistant chief of staff.
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