La. Guardsmen receive National Infantry Association award

By Sgt. Greg Stevens, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Representative

ABBEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team hosted a ceremony to present the National Infantry Association’s Order of Saint Maurice to five current or former Soldiers in Abbeville, Nov. 7.

The Order of Saint Maurice is given by the National Infantry Association to those who have served the infantry community with distinction, demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the infantry and represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence and dedication to duty.

LANG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis of Alexandria, was among the recipients. Also recognized included retired Maj. Gen. Gary Whipple of Houma; late Brig. Gen. Leonard Pauley Sr., of Lake Charles; retired Brig. Gen. Curney Dronet of Erath; and retired Col. Leonard Pauley Jr., of Lake Charles.

Curtis was honored to receive the award, and even more humbled to be in the company of his fellow inductees.

“It’s an even bigger honor to stand next to these heroes of the National Guard in Louisiana who built the foundation of where we are today,” said Curtis.

The Soldiers were nominated by existing awardees and their nomination was presented to an awards board at the National Infantry Association using a vigorous vetting process to ensure the future integrity of the order.

Pauley was equally impressed by the present company sharing the Order of St. Maurice with him.

“I am so proud to receive this honor, especially on the very same day as my late father. Let’s just say it’s the most humbling event I’ve ever had,” said Pauley, who then praised the current leader of the LANG. “I don’t care what happens in the Guard, [General Curtis] is there; and anything that happens negatively in the Guard hits him in the middle of the gut. He is very deserving of this great honor.”

The United States Army created the Order of Saint Maurice in 1995. To date, more than 14,000 Soldiers and civilians have been awarded the honor.

Saint Maurice was the Primicerius of the Theban Legion in the Roman Army during the third century. Saint Maurice and his men were all Christians who refused orders from Augustus Maximian Hercules to make sacrifices to the Roman gods, and to kill innocent civilians during a campaign. Eventually, he and all of his men were massacred.

A few of the notable awardees of the Order of Saint Maurice include Gen. Colin Powell, U.S. Army; Ross Perot, U.S. Navy; Command Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley, U.S. Army; and Lt. Gen. Harold Moore, Jr., U.S. Army.

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert LeBlanc, former 256th IBCT commander, presented the awards.