Military Notes: Nov. 21, 2010

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November 20, 2010

Military Notes: Nov. 21, 2010

Niki Laviolette ---- The Tribune Star Sat Nov 20, 2010, 08:18 PM EST

Master Sgt. Randall D. Webster and 1st Sgt. John Hersey of Terre Haute were among more than 30 award and scholarship recipients honored for their military and community service and academic excellence during the annual Veterans Day Banquet on Nov. 11 in the Primo Banquet Hall and Conference Center in Indianapolis.

Webster received the Military Achievement Award, bestowed upon enlisted National Guard and Reserves personnel who have been judged outstanding by their respective organizations. Selection is based on ratings in military performance, attendance, judgment, reliability, leadership, appearance, attitude and preparation for advancement.

Webster is assigned to the 181st Intelligence Wing, 181st Medical Group, Terre Haute. He is married with four children and one grandchild. Webster deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, Camp Sather, Baghdad as the NCOIC of Ambulatory and Emergency Medicine, supporting more than 2,000 soldiers and airmen at the peak of operations. While serving with the 447th, he established much-needed standards of care and operating protocols that encompassed the new responsibility to care for all DoD and NATO troops. He garnered the respect of the Deployed Expeditionary Medical Squadron leadership team by overseeing the closure of 12 forward operation medical elements, creating a Joint Medical response for all DoD units in the Baghdad Area of Operations, with a zero-sum gain of medical personnel assigned to his duty section. Webster also took control of the primary care, immunizations and post-deployment out-processing programs, normally accomplished by a Company Grade Officer, and spearheaded an immunizations team that consistently maintained a 100 percent immunization rate, the highest in the theater of operations.

Hersey received the Military Achievement Award, bestowed upon enlisted National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been judged outstanding by their respective organizations. Selection is based on ratings in military performance, attendance, judgment, reliability, leadership, appearance, attitude and preparation for advancement.

Hersey enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard in October 2003. He served three tours in Iraq: one with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, Alaska National Guard, one with Company A, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, New York National Guard, one with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry, Illinois National Guard, and one tour in Afghanistan with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry, Indiana National Guard. Hersey’s military awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge “2nd Award,” Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Joint Forces Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for Valor.

The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis was formed in the mid-1960s to launch a citywide observance to honor veterans so that their deeds and sacrifices are not forgotten. The Council continues to work with civic and government leaders to maintain one of America’s largest salutes to veterans.