FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. 1st Class David I. Hong was awarded the prestigious Order of Martin of Tours Award Sept. 8, 2023, during a ceremony at Fort Carson.
The award is presented to chaplains and religious affairs specialists who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, selflessly served Soldiers and Families, and contributed to the promotion of the Army Chaplaincy, according to a memorandum from the office of the Chief of Chaplains.
Col. Monica Lawson, command chaplain for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, and Chaplain Corps Regimental Sgt. Maj. Meaghan Simmons presented the award to the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson religious affairs specialist.
After receiving the award, Hong noted the importance of the religious affairs mission.
“I feel like people need to understand what we do as religious affairs, and I think that’s why they came up with this award,” he said. “Martin was someone who like really set an example of selfless service and sacrifice.”
Hong expressed his gratitude to the Chaplain Corps leadership, with special thanks to Installation Management Command, for their support for him and his Family in this memorable moment.
Sgt. Cameron Salas, a religious affairs noncommissioned officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, spoke highly of her former NCO.
“Sgt. Hong is a very humble man,” said Sgt. Cameron Salas, religious affairs NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. “He’s very giving with his time and efforts. I worked for him when I was a specialist, and he invested in not just me as a Soldier, but as a person. He cared about me, my Family and my personal growth.”
Hong said he believes it should be second nature to love people. He joined the U.S. Army in August 2009, when he was 36 years old. Because of his family’s background in ministry, he chose to be a chaplain assistant, now referred to as a religious affairs specialist.
Hong has served 14 years faithfully in the ministry. In his 13th year of service, he found out he had cancer.
“I found out in July 2022 that I had colon cancer, almost stage four,” he said. “It felt like everything changed quickly, and it was pretty hard.”
Even though the six months of chemotherapy were tough, it didn’t stop him from caring about people, his community and his Soldiers. He received support from his Soldiers, his leaders, the hospital staff and, most importantly, his wife.
Cancer hasn’t stopped his resolve as he continues to give his time and efforts to his Soldiers and his community.
Hong worked hard to ensure his Soldiers were also recognized with Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals for their selfless service through their work for the community.
“I want people to understand that our community as the Chaplain Corps is more than providing religious support,” said Hong. “We’re a community that wants to pour out to people, (we) genuinely want to love people and support Families.”
During the ceremony, Hong’s wife, Monica, was presented with the Chaplain Corps Distinguished Spouse Award for her contributions to Soldiers and Families.
The award citation noted Monica Hong’s character, service, leadership and ministry to the chapel and Army communities in “keeping with the highest standards of selfless sacrifice displayed by distinguished chaplain spouses throughout the history of the Chaplain Corps.” It also stated she fosters a family culture and embodies the values of servant leadership, compassion and respect.
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