BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Only a handful of U.S. Soldiers have ever been awarded decorations of honor from the Bundeswehr, Germany's military. The Badge of Honor of the German Armed Forces is a series of military decorations from the Bundeswehr, introduced in 1980 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Bundeswehr.
16th Sustainment Brigade Water Purification Soldier Sgt. 1st Class Truman McDuffie is the first Soldier in the U.S. Army to receive the Ehrenmedaille der Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces Medal of Honor) from the 467th Logistics Battalion from Volkach for exemplary and meritorious service for more than seven months of achievements. The award comes in five classes: gold with clasp for bravery, gold, silver, bronze crosses and bronze medal.
In exceptional cases, Soldiers of foreign armed forces can be decorated for making an outstanding contribution to the Bundeswehr or its Soldiers, either during operations in combat or by strengthening relationships between Germany and the United States armed forces.
"I wasn't doing anything special in my eyes; I was just doing my job. This award is a great honor because I'm getting it from another country, and it was unexpected," said McDuffie. "I established a relationship and bond that was so strong that I'm being recognized for my collaborations with my German counterparts."
Some of the training and events that McDuffie has collaborated on have allowed German soldiers to receive U.S. weapons qualification badges and American Soldiers to receive the Schutzenschnur (marksmanship) and German Sports badges.
"McDuffie has been our liaison for over six years and has been instrumental in immeasurable ways for us to have partnership events with are American friends," said Master Sgt. Markus Janovsky, a German soldier with the 467th Logistics Battalion. "This is a very difficult award to acquire for German Soldiers; but if anyone deserves this award, it is McDuffie."
McDuffie also assisted in the coordination, planning and execution of joint-nation training for recovery field training and combat live fire exercises.
"This partnership was one of the best things [a] company could have," said Capt. Eugen Weizel, former commander of the 467th Logistics Battalion. "McDuffie opened up so many new possibilities for us to learn from our U.S. counterparts. I wish I could have [more] Soldiers like McDuffie in my Army."
After the award ceremony concluded the German Soldiers took a moment to congratulate and pose for photos with McDuffie.
"I hope to continue facilitating more partnership training between the two countries," said McDuffie. "It has been a rewarding experience and only good things are achieved from the training."
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