Photo By Sgt. Joe Padula | Capt. Daniel Luckett, executive officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Annually, for the last 23 years, the U.S. Army has recognized active-duty and reserve-component company-grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which Gen. Douglas MacArthur stood by – duty, honor and country.
These officers are recognized through the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Program.
Of the 28 awardees announced last month, one officer calls "Strike" Brigade home.
Capt. Daniel Luckett, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, will receive the prestigious leadership award from Gen. George W. Casey, Chief of Staff of the Army, during a ceremony in the nation's capitol May 6.
"It means a lot for both my family and I to be honored with such an extraordinarily humbling award," said Luckett. "Simply being mentioned in the same breath as previous winners and the award's namesake is an incredible feeling."
Nearly two years ago – on May 11, 2008 – Luckett was wounded when his patrol came under attack in the northwest Baghdad neighborhood of Hurriyah. On that day, he would become a double amputee, but his drive to lead Soldiers only grew stronger.
"Soldiers deserve nothing less than knowledgeable and competent leaders and I strive to accommodate them everyday through not only my own actions but through mentoring the outstanding junior leaders I work with," Luckett said.
"I have become a stronger leader as a result of my injuries," Luckett continued. "I am presented with a unique challenge to overcome and it has made me focus all of my energy into improving my capabilities as a military professional."
It has been quite a challenge for Luckett since he was wounded in Iraq.
He had to undergo many months of rehabilitation before he was cleared to return to 2nd Brigade.
"If you work hard enough and truthfully apply yourself there is very little that is going to limit you," Luckett said.
Since returning to the Strike Brigade in February 2009, Luckett has taken on a great deal of responsibility, where he currently serves as the executive officer for his company and for more than a year has helped prepare his company for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Once Luckett is considered "fit for duty," which he expects to find out soon, he will join and fight alongside his men in Afghanistan.
"He has unique skills as an infantry officer, especially infantry officers who will lead Soldiers in combat," said Lt. Col. Johnny Davis, commander, 1st Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt.
Through adversity and an assortment of challenges, Luckett has found it within himself to lead his Soldiers without any thoughts of his prior injuries.
"It is imperative for all leaders to show Soldiers that they will subject themselves to the same conditions and hardships that are faced by those they lead; in doing a leader gains the trust and confidence of those around them," said Luckett. "You have to lead from the front; you have to set the example for your subordinates to follow. Soldiers will ultimately have a better understanding of your expectations for them because they bore witness to the standard you uphold and embody."
Luckett looks to continue to develop as a leader and in the end, "I hope that this award demonstrates that initiative and perseverance will be rewarded," he said.
"I would hope that more than the award," Luckett continued, "the daily performance of my duties enables Soldiers to look at how to get over the wall rather than the wall itself."
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2010 23:21 |
| Story ID: | 48552 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, US |
| Web Views: | 672 |
| Downloads: | 422 |
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