By Staff
Staff reports
The 1165th Military Police Company has been awarded two very prestigious awards by the U.S. Army – the Valorous Unit Award and the Presidential Unit Citation.
The Valorous United Award was presented for the group's work during the period between March 13, 2003, to Jan. 31, 2004, while serving directly under the 18th Military Police Brigade in Iraq. By direction of the Secretary of the Army, the Valorous Unit Award is awarded to the 18th Military Police Brigade and its subordinate units, which includes the 1165th Military Police Company, Alabama Army National Guard.
The criteria for receiving the Valorous Unit Award are as follows:
The Valorous Unit Award is to be awarded to units of the armed forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. The Valorous Unit Award requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from the other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual.
During the period between April 16, 2004, to July 15, 2004, the 1165th Military Police Company served under the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division. By direction of the President of the United States of America, the Unit Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and its subordinate units. The 1165th Military Police Company, Alabama Army National Guard will be awarded the Unit Presidential Unit Citation while serving with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
Criteria for the unit presidential unit citation are as follows:
The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the armed forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant the award of a distinguished service cross to an individual.
Sgt. Frank Barnes, who is with the local unit of the 1165th Military Police Company, says he and his men are excited about winning the awards and look forward to the day they can receive them during a planned ceremony.