Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for operations, XVIII Airborne Corps, receives the Legion of Merit from Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, XVIII Abn. Corps and Fort Bragg, during a farewell ceremony held in Ferriter's hono...

He helped lead the fight for the 'Sons of Iraq' during his recent 15-month deployment in Baghdad. He was the deputy commanding general for operations for the XVIII Airborne Corps, and now, he will lead the way at Fort Benning, Ga.

After nearly two years with the corps, Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter bid farewell to FortBragg. A ceremony held in his honor June 11 at the Main Post Flagpole showed, by the turnout of fellow servicemembers, friends and Family, that the Ferriters would be missed.

"It is profoundly unfortunate that we must bid farewell to the Ferriter Family," said Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, XVIII Abn. Corps and Fort Bragg, and host of the ceremony.

Ferriter came to the corps in August 2007 and shortly thereafter deployed with the unit in January 2008 where he served as the commander's lead for plans, operations and intelligence fusion, information operations and strategic communications. Additionally, he was the driving force behind the Multi-National Corps - Iraq reconciliation efforts and the successful transfer of more than 94,000 Sons of Iraq (former insurgents who decided to stand up against al-Qaeda in Iraq and join coalition and Iraqi forces in protecting the Iraqi people) to the control of the Iraqi government.

He was "absolutely the best person" for the job, Austin said.

"General Ferriter did his best, day in and day out," Austin said. "As we began achieving success (while deployed), he didn't let up. He knew that there was always more to do. Because of that attitude, we did achieve our goals in Iraq."

Ferriter spoke followA,A!ing Austin's remarks to deliver a message of thanks to Fort Bragg.

"I would like to simply say thanks to all who helped us over these past two years," he said. "We have loved being on your team, and have loved being your friends."

During the ceremony, Austin presented Ferriter and his wife, Margie, with awards for their service. Ferriter received the Legion of Merit and Margie, the Commander's Award for Public Service.

Ferriter is headed to Fort Benning where he will serve as installation commander, commanding general for the U.S. Army Infantry Center and Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School.