Every year commands across the Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve convene a board to select their respective nominees for the Gen. Douglas McArthur Leadership Award. Officers holding the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Warrant Officer 1, and Warrant Officer 2 are all eligible for the award.
“Over 100,000 company grade officers were eligible for the award,” said Lt. Gen Walter E. Piatt, director of the Army staff, who presided over the ceremony. He added that officers had less than a .03% chance of being selected.
General Douglas MacArthur was one of only five people to rise to the rank of 5-star general. He served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Over the course of his career he earned over 100 military decorations including the Medal of Honor, two Distinguished Service Crosses, and seven Silver Stars.
In 1987, the U.S. Army started the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award on behalf of the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Foundation. The annual award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the values of “duty, honor, country” in their professional lives as well as their service to their communities.
The Vermont Army National Guard can count among its ranks several recipients of the award, the most recent being Capt. Philip Bourn, commander, Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain).
“To say that I was honored to even have been nominated is an understatement,” said Bourn. “I find myself surrounded with outstanding leaders throughout the Vermont Army National Guard and I consider myself very fortunate to have served with some of the best. Vermont is home to several MacArthur award recipients and perhaps that says something about our culture here. I am grateful to my chain of command for nominating me, and to my family who’ve supported me in my journey to serve.”
Past Vermonters who have won the prestigious award include Capt. Sarah Palhete, 2017 recipient, force integration officer for the Vermont Army National Guard.
“If receiving recognition for doing what I believe was my job, then the meaning of the award is that I accepted it on behalf of my family, Soldiers and professionals I have served beside,” said Palhete. “These are the individuals that made sacrifices and groomed me to be a better person, friend, wife, mother, officer, and citizen.”
Maj. Austin Barber, 86th Troop command administrative officer and 2015 recipient, agrees with Palhete that the award isn’t a reflection of one individual.
“You don’t get this award without having outstanding mentors,” stated Barber. “I’ve been privileged to work for and with some very outstanding leaders.”
Maj. Barber’s nomination packet included his community work as a Milton U8 and U10 youth soccer coach in addition to his work with the Boy Scouts of America.
Col. Justin Davis, operations officer for the Vermont Army National Guard, was deployed to Afghanistan when he was honored with the MacArthur Award in 2004. Davis’ parents traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award on his behalf.
“Receiving the award validated to me that some of the things I was doing as a young leader were correct and motivated me to further improve my abilities as an officer, being both a leader and planner,” recalled Col. Davis.
Capt. Bourn is continuing a legacy of excellence for junior leaders in the Vermont Army National Guard. Bourn, and our prior award recipients, are examples for all junior officers to emulate.
In his closing remarks, Lt. Gen. Piatt stressed to the officers that, “they didn’t win a contest, they earned the award because they’re good leaders and their leadership sees that in them.”