Fort Meade, Md. - MSG Benjamin Boyce was named the Asymmetric Warfare Warrior of the Year for 2008 during a ceremonoy held May 6 at the unit's headquarters.
The award was developed to recognize the outstanding achievements that were accomplished by an AWG Soldier within the past year.
Boyce's selection was based on his support to Army forces, U.S. Marine Corps units, and other government agencies during 2008, and his endeavors while conducting combat operations as an AWG operational specialist. Boyce was deployed in support of combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom for more than ten months during his initial 18 months with the unit. His aggressive efforts have helped identify, analyze, and defeat various asymmetric threats within the region of his responsibility.
He also provided invaluable first-hand observations and technical assistance to the new "US Army Soldiers Load" initiative that will provide Army Soldiers increased maneuverability and lethality through lighter more agile equipment.
While conducting tactical advisory operations in Afghanistan during a dismounted combat patrol in the Nangarhar, Nuristan, Konar, and Laghman Provinces, Boyce was engaged in an enemy ambush during which a enemy bullet rendered his primary weapon unserviceable. Through grit and determination, he continued in the fight, providing cover for his brothers-in-arms with his secondary weapon system, as well as observation and direction on the enemy activity during the rest of the engagement.
"Master Sergeant Ben Boyce is the epitome of today's modern warfighter," said AWG Commander Col. Robert Shaw. "He consistently displays the intellect and warrior skills required to advise units in order to enhance their lethality while proactively seeking countermeasures to defeat enemy operations."
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