FORT BRAGG, N.C. ̶̶ Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) recognized its 2015 Outstanding Military Intelligence Unit and Linguist Professional of the Year during a presentation ceremony hosted by Gen. Robert B. Abrams, FORSCOM commanding general, May 24, at the 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Heroes, here.
D Company, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division took honors as the winner of the Maj. Gen. Oliver W. Dillard Award, while Staff Sgt. Madison Grant, a crypto-linguist assigned to the unit, took individual honors.
The Dillard Award is annually presented to the most outstanding military intelligence company assigned to a FORSCOM brigade combat team.
Dillard was the first U.S. Army Forces Command Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence and served in that capacity in the early 1970's, retiring from active duty in 1980 having served the nation for 34 years.
Representing Dillard, who died in 2015, his daughter - Mrs. Diane Broadnax, presented the award to the unit.
According to documents supporting the nomination of "Team Darkhorse," the unit "… fundamentally contributed to and enabled the (Panther) Brigade Combat Team's successful deployment to the Combined Joint Task Force area of responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from Jan. to Sept. 2015. "
While deployed to Iraq, the company's Soldiers integrated into every echelon and operated at every outstation within the Brigade's operational footprint.
Abrams presented to Grant a plaque that points out her work during a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and the importance of the capabilities linguists bring to the Intelligence Warfighting Function.
According to www.goarmy.com - a cryptologic linguist is primarily responsible for identifying foreign communications using signals equipment. Their role is crucial as the nation's defense depends largely on information that comes from foreign languages.
Related Links:
GoArmy.com - Military Occupational Specialty 35P, Cryptographic Linguist
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