FORT RUCKER, Ala.--Brig. Gen. Warren E. Phipps Jr. received the Legion of Merit award during an Honor Eagle and promotion ceremony June 12 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
Phipps served as the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) Deputy Commander and Assistant Commandant here for the past several years and will be leaving shortly to fill the position of Deputy Commanding General (Support), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky.
USAACE and Fort Rucker Commander Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay III awarded Phipps with the Legion of Merit for exceptional service. Barclay, along with Phipps\' wife, Sylvia, and son, Kevin, pinned on the general's new rank. Barclay said Friday was a bittersweet day, serving as a celebration of Phipps' promotion and a day of loss as the Family departs from here.
"It's a great day for me to be a part of and pin a star on Gen. Phipps," Barclay said. "Thanks for all you've done for Fort Rucker and for the Families, but more importantly thanks for what you will continue to do for the Soldiers and their Families in the 101st."
Barclay described Phipps as a leader from the front, noting his patriotism, energy and dedication. Phipps credited his success thus far to Family and fellow Soldiers. "I didn't blaze this trail alone, by (any) means," he said.
In particular, he noted one of his close friends, a noncommissioned officer (NCO), and important figure during the 2009 Year of the NCO, 12th Aviation Branch senior enlisted NCO Sgt. Maj. Tod L. Glidewell.
"I have had the honor to serve with the best America can provide, from the senior NCOs, senior warrant (officers) and my peers. I'm truly honored to have had the opportunity to serve with (Glidewell). He and a cast of (a) thousand NCOs taught me what it means to take care of Soldiers and how to lead," Phipps said. As he prepares to move on, Phipps hopes he made a difference here.
"The greatest legacies you can leave are those (who) you inspire behind you," he said.
Before his time as Deputy Commander and Assistant Commandant, Phipps served as the USAACE chief of staff.
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