2 Army National Guard soldiers from Orleans receive award for 2017 hurricane response
LATHAM – Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General of New York, announces the recent award recognitions for members of the New York Army National Guard who participated in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support missions following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017.
Two soldiers from Orleans County are receiving the Humanitarian Service Award:
Pfc. Jordan Wolcott from Albion and Sgt. 1st Class John Anstey from Holley both served in the U.S. Virgin Islands from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, 2017. They served with the 105th Military Police Company of the New York Army National Guard.
“The support of our New York National Guard in the Caribbean following Hurricanes Irma and Maria was nothing short of exceptional, and our soldiers are the reason for that success,” German said. “Our citizen soldiers are used to responding here at home, so the effort to move troops and equipment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands presented unique challenges. The presentation of the Humanitarian Service Medal is a great reflection of our soldiers’ commitment to serve others.”
The Department of Defense approved the Humanitarian Service Medal on March 29, 2018 for soldiers who provided meritorious participation in operations of a humanitarian nature. More than 400 Army National Guard Soldiers will be eligible to receive the award. Presentations will be made at the unit level at a future date.
