Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, commander, U.S. Army Pacific, hosted a Flying "V" Dec. 19 ceremony to honor the service of Command Sgt. Maj. Iuniasolua T. Savusa, the U.S. Pacific Command's senior enlisted Soldier on Fort Shafter's historic Palm Circle here.
The Flying "V" ceremony traditionally welcomes or honors senior Army officials when they assume duties or depart from an Army command and refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped.
"Sergeant Major, on behalf of our military and our nation, thank you for 36 years of faithful service," said Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, U.S. Army Pacific commander. "Thank you for helping build this Army and this professional noncommissioned officer corps -- the best I've served with in 32 years. But most of all, thank you for your friendship and counsel in good times and bad."
"Command Sgt. Maj. Savusa, is a true warrior who has served our great country long and faithfully, often at great personal cost; often a great personal risk," said Col. Jack Vandyken, USARPAC chaplain. "We thank him for his service and friendship . We celebrate his love for you and his dedication to country."
During the ceremony Savusa received a certificate from the American Samoa senate president and a letter was read that was written by Togiola T.A. Tulafono, governor of Pago Pago, American Samoa.
"Today is a truly humbling day for (my family)," said Savusa. At the end of the day it's about the trusting people and allowing them to develop, he added.
PACOM's Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Daniel J. Darnell presented Savusa the Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptional service while serving as senior enlisted advisor to the PACOM commander from September 2009 until December 2011.
The formation was represented by USARPAC's subordinate command sergeants major and unit flag bearers. Four branches of the Armed Services comprised the Joint Color Guard. USARPAC Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Leota was commander of troop during the ceremony.
Savusa's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal with "V" (2nd oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster).
A native of American Samoa, Savusa assumed duties recently as the command sergeant major, International Security Assistance Force/North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan in July 2008 and later as command sergeant major, United States Forces, Afghanistan in October 2008.
Social Sharing