SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Army News Service, Dec. 12, 2007) - Notre Dame, a university renowned for its football program, but blessed with an equally distinguished tradition of military service selected Dr. (Brig. Gen.) Philip Volpe as the recipient of one of its highest alumni awards, the Rev. William Corby C.S.C. Award for distinguished military service.
A 1977 Fighting Irish grad, Dr. (Brig. Gen.) Volpe, commander of the 44th Medical Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C. is also the senior Army Medical Department officer and director of health services at the post.
"It is a tremendous privilege and honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award," Dr. (Brig. Gen.) said. "I sincerely thank the University of Notre Dame, the alumni association, my family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement over the years as I serve our nation as a Soldier in the United States Army.
"Throughout my career, I have served with the bravest men and women I ever knew. And, on behalf of all those who served, and who are currently serving, in the armed forces on freedom's frontiers around the world, I proudly and humbly accept the Corby Award and will cherish this moment for the rest of my life," he continued.
The Corby Award is conferred annually on a Notre Dame alumnus for distinguished service in the armed forces. Anyone can nominate service members for the honor, said Pat Trost, senior administrative assistant to the executive director of the alumni association.
The award is named for Father William Corby, chaplain of the Union Army's Irish Brigade, who distinguished himself by compassion and bravery in some of the hottest battles of the Civil War. Father Corby later served twice as President of the University of Notre Dame.
Dr. (Brig. Gen.) Volpe, too, has distinguished himself in compassion and bravery, ministering as a surgeon to American troops in some of the hottest engagements of our era, the Corby Award citation noted:
"In more than 20 years of military service, Philip has distinguished himself as a luminary in the medical sector, as well as a caring, competent and courageous leader. He has demonstrated the will to rise to any occasion, and has thereby garnered an enormous admiration from his superiors, peers and subordinates....A team player with the highest sense of commitment, Philip makes a significant contribution to the nation's defense each and every day."
The general is a board-certified family physician. He was commissioned in 1983 as a captain in the Medical Corps after earning a bachelor's degree in pre-professional studies at Notre Dame and a doctor of osteopathic medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology, where he was named valedictorian of his class.
(Harry Noyes serves with Army Medical Command Public Affairs.)
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