FORT STEWART, Ga. - The 3rd Infantry Division held a farewell ceremony for two of the division's deputy commanding generals at Fort Stewart, Ga., May 17.
Brig. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, the 3rd ID deputy commanding general for maneuver and Brig. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, the Task Force Marne commander were honored for their contributions and service to the division.
Today's farewell signifies the end of a tour of duty with the 3rd Infantry Division for two outstanding general officers and their families, said Maj. Gen. Lee Quintas, the 3rd ID commanding general. "The ceremony today is an opportunity for the division to recognize the Bernabe's and Richardson's for their amazing contributions to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the Army."
Bernabe served as the installation's senior commander during the division headquarters' nine-month deployment to Afghanistan.
Some of Bernabe's major contributions included the supervision and preparation of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade and the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade's deployment to Afghanistan, as well as the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team's deployment to the Republic of Korea.
"As an economy of force and supporting effort, Sean was tasked with executing a division headquarters mission with a much smaller element - he had to do more with less," Quintas said. "[He] managed to get it done every day, allowing me and the division headquarters to focus on the fight in Afghanistan."
Quintas said Bernabe's wife, Jayne, did her part and successfully contributed to the Liberty County School District and the greater coastal Georgia region.
The Richardson's were also recognized for their contributions to the Marne Division.
Quintas said Richardson succeeded in a deployment to Operation Inherent Resolve as a deputy commander, a training rotation as a senior trainer for a brigade combat team and a deployment to Afghanistan as the Train, Advise, Assist, Command - East commander.
Quintas also added that Richardson set the conditions for the Afghan National Security Defense Forces to integrate a deliberate air campaign during Operation Spartan Nike.
During the ceremony, Bernabe was awarded the Army's Legion of Merit and Richardson was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal.
Bernarbe said, "There are few places where you'll find such a positive command climate where collaboration, cooperation and teamwork are the norm. You won't find loyalty to each other and loyalty to the unit like you will here at the Marne Division."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Quintas thanked the two and said, "Remember - once a Dogface Soldier, always a Dogface Soldier."
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