Staff Sgt. Owens Receives Samuel Sharpe Ordnance Award

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Thomas Owens, a native of Charlotte, N.C., and the motor sergeant for the 991st Transportation Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, received Samuel Sharpe Ordnance Award for his dedication to the Ordnance Corp and his unit over his 14 years of service. Owens is currently serving his second tour in support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and his third deployment to Iraq including Desert Storm as a member of the Ordnance Corp.  

TAJI, IRAQ

02.12.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

By 1st Lt. Andrew B. Burquest
10th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The U.S. Army Ordnance Corps honors one of its enlisted Soldiers each year with The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe for a career commitment to the proud tradition of ordinance excellence. This year, Staff Sgt. Thomas Owens of Charlotte, N.C., received this honor for his dedication to the Ordnance Corp and his unit over his 14 years of service.

The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe was created in honor of Samuel Sharpe, a member of the Council of 13 freemen of the original 13 American Colonies. On April 17th, 1629 Samuel Sharpe was appointed the "Master gunner of Ordnance" by the Massachusetts Bay Colonies for his knowledge, expertise and professionalism. The U.S. Army Ordnance Corp continues to honor career Soldiers who exemplify those same traits as Samuel Sharpe with an award that bears his namesake.

Owens, motor sergeant for the 991st Transportation Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade is currently serving his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and his third deployment to Iraq including Desert Storm as a member of the Ordnance Corp. His peers and superiors recognize him as the backbone of the Maintenance Platoon for his outstanding performance and support for Company operations. He dedicates his off duty hours to mentoring younger Soldiers in his Platoon, developing their skill sets and providing career guidance.

One of his mechanics, Sgt. Adam Lunceford, a Mountain City, Tenn., native, had this to say about his shop foreman, "Staff Sgt. Owens always demonstrates true military bearing and sets high standards for his maintenance section. His commitment to his career and dedication to his troops is among the most respected. I am honored to know Staff Sgt. Owens the Soldier, the father, the friend, and I am honored to serve under his leadership."

The knowledge and skills under Owens's command are unrivaled according to 1st Lt. Andrew Burquest, 991st Trans. Co. Executive Officer, also from Charlotte, N.C. "This is my second deployment with Staff Sgt. Owens and I have yet to see a maintenance issue that he could not figure out. Anytime someone in the Battalion had a problem that they could not handle, Staff Sgt. Owens was always there to assist, no matter what kind of equipment they had to work with," he said.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donald Dillon, the Maintenance Platoon leader, and a Johnson City, Tenn., native, made this statement about his senior enlisted man being this years' awardee, "Staff Sgt. Thomas Owens has always been an asset to the 991st Trans. Co. He is well known throughout the Battalion for getting the job done right. Staff Sgt. Owens has also dedicated most of his time to Physical fitness training with his soldiers."

The Ordnance Corp has done well to recognize one of its outstanding sons, and the 991st Trans. Co. is certainly fortunate to have a Soldier of Owens's caliber in its ranks.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2009
• Date Posted: 02.12.2009 07:08
• Story ID: 29931
• Location: TAJI, IQ