HEIDELBERG, Germany (Feb. 27, 2008) -- U.S. Army Europe saluted the leadership and achievements of three officers when it awarded the trio top honors in the USAREUR level of the 2007 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Awards.
Capt. Daniel C. Enslen from the Operations Group, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command; Capt. Daniel P. Kearney, commander of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, Southern European Task Force; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason E. Feser of V Corps' Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Special Troops Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, were chosen for the award from a group of 11 nominees.
The annual award was created by the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation in 1987 to honor company-grade and junior warrant officers who embody MacArthur's ideals of "Duty, Honor, Country" and have proven records of performance, leadership and achievement.
The 11 officers nominated represented approximately 3,700 eligible officers in USAREUR. Each was recommended by his or her command for the award, and the three winners were then selected by a panel of senior leaders.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Gen. David D. McKiernan, USAREUR commanding general, praised the calibre of all the nominees.
"It is people like this who make our Army have the strongest leadership it has ever had," the general said.
"I know that you are all probably thinking, 'There are officers who deserve this just as much as I do,' and maybe there are," McKiernan added. "But you are here because you have earned it -- don't forget that -- and you deserve to be recognized for your efforts."
Enslen was the only one of the three winners present to receive the award. Unit representatives accepted on behalf of Kearney and Feser, who are deployed.
"When I first heard that my name had been recommended and nominated, I was shocked. It had never been about the recognition; it is about taking care of your mission and your Soldiers," said Enslen. "While I say that, (the award) has definitely renewed my zest for the job, and it is nice for someone to notice when you put all of yourself into something. I don't expect a constant pat on the back every day, but days like today say to me that someone took note and appreciated something I did."
Enslen, Kearney and Feser will now represent USAREUR for the Army level of the award. Winners in that competition will be announced Feb. 29.
The following USAREUR officers were also nominated for the award:
Capt. Timothy J. Ferguson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, V Corps
Capt. Charles A. Green, 92nd Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
1st Lt. Sarah A. Kessler-Detienne, Alpha Detachment, 8th Finance Battalion, 266th Finance Command
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marc A. Nelson, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, V Corps
Capt. Michael R. Rodick, Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, V Corps
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sammy Rodriguez, Fusion Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, Southern European Task Force
Capt. Garrett G. Stotz, Operations Group, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Seventh Army Joint Multinational Training Command
Capt. Douglas M. Willig, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, V Corps
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