2023 national convention award recipients
During the 104th American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in August, a number of awards were presented to individuals, companies, groups and Legion departments in meetings, on the convention floor and during competitions.
Distinguished Service Medal: First Liberty Institute
Patriot Awards: Hon. Timothy K. Moore, Johnie E. Webb Jr., Chip Ganassi Racing
James V. Day “Good Guy” Award: Bobby Richardson Jr.
National Concert Band Contest: Joliet (Ill.) American Legion Band
National Color Guard Contests:
Advancing/Retrieving Colors: Newport Harbor Post 291, Newport Beach, Calif., 94.6
Military: Newport Harbor, 90.6
Military Open: Dorie Miller Post 331, Orlando, 82.05
NJROTC Open (with associated Legion post): West Caldwell HS, Lenoir (Post 29), 98.75
Overall Champion: Newport Harbor
National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Patrol Officer Audrey Arbuckle, Crete, Neb.
National Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter John DeBisschop III, Naugatuck, Conn.
Fourth Estate Awards:
Broadcast: ABC Action News (WFTS-TV) I-Team, Tampa, Fla./Adam Walser
Print: Military Times/Leo Shane
Spirit of Service Awards:
Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph M. Allen
Space Force Spc. 3 Tyler J. Baker
Marine Corps Sgt. Nhatalyne Bordes
Army Sgt. Christopher Irvine
Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Knick
Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Dhruva S. Poluru
Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Justin D. Santoyo
National Recruiter of the Year: Patricia E. Liddell, Midland, Ga.
District Commander Race to the Top Award:
Hector Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) – Category 1, District 2
Casey R. Nash (Georgia) – Category 2, District 1
Joyce A. Hannum (Ohio) – Category 3, District 9
Billy J. Hill (Maryland) – Category 4, District 3
100% Department Awards: Puerto Rico, Mexico
Gen. Henri Gouraud Trophy: Department of Puerto Rico
Department Commanders of the Year: Carmen I. Rosario, Department of Puerto Rico; Peter P. Cruz, Department of Mexico
Culture of Growth Department Award: Puerto Rico, Mexico, Alabama, Tennessee
Second Century All-Time High Department Award: Alaska, Mexico
All Target Dates Department Award: Puerto Rico, Mexico
Henry D. Lindsley Trophy: Department of Puerto Rico
Jerry L. Hedrick Membership Award: Department of Puerto Rico
O.L. Bodenhamer Trophy: Department of Puerto Rico
Consolidated Post Reporting Department Award: Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Employee of the Year: Kelly Norris, Garland, Texas
Veterans Employment Awards:
Akima Technologies, Fort Cavazos, Texas, large category
Texas Veteran Security, San Antonio, medium category
TangoAlpha3, Austin, Texas, small category
Outstanding Employment Service Local Office of the Year: Workforce Solutions, Texas
Outstanding Employer of Enhancing the Lives of Disabled Persons: PRIDE Industries, Roseville, Calif.
100 Percent Americanism Award: Fox Sports
Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy: Department of Virginia
Ralph T. O’Neil Trophy: Department of Tennessee
Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy: Department of Missouri
Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) Garland Murphy Award: Department of Maryland
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award: Department of Florida
CWF Meritorious Achievement Award: Department of Washington
CWF Excellence Award: Department of Washington
CWF Garland Murphy Award – Riders: Department of Florida
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award – Riders: Department of Florida
William F. Lenker National Service Trophy: Department of Florida
Educator of the Year Award: Civil Air Patrol