Photo By 1st Sgt. Carmen Fleischmann | Army Capt. Benjamin Neeley, commander Alpha Troop, 3-89th Cavalry Regiment, prepares...... read more read more
Subscribe
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - A tradition etched in a mixture of legend and history, the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association’s award, the Honorable Order of St. George, was created in order to recognize the very best tankers and cavalrymen amongst its members. During this year’s Army Ball, held Saturday, Army Lt. Col. Richard Ball, commander of 93rd Military Police Battalion, became the most recent recipient of this prestigious honor.
“Army Lt. Col. Richard Ball, having been recognized for honorable service to armored cavalry, is hereby admitted as a distinguished knight in the order of St. George Bronze Medallion,” read Army 1st Sgt. Jason Barton, with the 3-89th.
As Ball knelt to receive his knighthood, Army Capt. Benjamin Neeley, commander, Alpha Troop, 3-89th Cavalry Regiment, touched the tip of the saber to each shoulder. “I do hereby knight thee into the Honorable Order of St. George Bronze Medallion,” said Capt. Neeley. “Arise Knight and be recognized.”
Neeley then presented Ball with the 1865 cavalry saber for his successful command of a cavalry unit over the last eight months here at Joint Task Force GTMO, all the while demonstrating the qualities synonymous with this award and the traits St. George represents: bravery, dedication to the faith and decency. Even though he is a military policeman, and not a calvaryman, Ball was selected for this honor because his leadership contributed to the success and support of a cavalry unit.
For him, the knighthood holds a special meaning.
“My father spent 22 years as an armored cavalryman,” said Ball. “He passed away about three years ago, and I’d like to think he would have been tremendously proud that his son received this. I grew up learning about what it means to be a Soldier, the Army values, and leadership by watching those cavalrymen. It definitely had a strong impact on my life.”
According to the Cavalry and Armor association, “Nestor of Cappadocia,” later to be renamed St. George, stood against the emperor’s call to destroy all Christian churches and sacred writings of the faith. For his defiance, he was imprisoned, tortured and later executed. In the 12th century, more than 1,000 years after his death, townsfolk in a small Italian village claim to have seen him appear and defeat a dragon that had been tormenting them. His heroic image became a symbol of good triumphing over evil and the valiant bravery of mounted warriors.
Out of all the saints, St. George is unique as he is the only one portrayed as fighting mounted. His name has been linked to cavalry forces around the world.
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2014 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 132908 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MP commander knighted, by 1SG Carmen Fleischmann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
