Photo By Sgt. Philip Klein | Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, the 4th Infantry Division's senior enlisted leader,...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas — Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, the senior enlisted leader for the 4th Infantry Division, was honored after 28 years of service with a retirement and retreat ceremony, June 15, on Cameron Field.
Leaders and Soldiers from the division's five combat brigades and the Special Troops Battalion were on hand to honor Gioia and his Family, and thank them for their service to the Nation, Soldiers and the families they served with.
Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general for the 4th Inf. Div., thanked Gioia for his service to the division and spoke of the difficulty of saying goodbye after sharing so much.
"A lot of things are hard in this business, but other than putting Soldiers into harm's way, saying goodbye to a battle buddy is right up there," said Hammond. "We are here to honor Command Sgt. Major John Gioia and his Family, which during his career found itself more often than not deployed."
"He has served his country all over the world and during his 28-year career -- seven years he was away from his family," continued Hammond. "He set an example for Soldiers, exemplifying our motto: Mission, Soldier, Family, Team. Training, teaching, mentoring and caring for Soldiers and their families"
Gioia reflected on his career and paid tribute to his family and the Soldiers he served with as he addressed the guests present to honor him.
"Thanks for joining us here today and thanks for making this a very special day for my family and myself," said Gioia. "As I began my service here with the 4th Inf. Div., I said I would make my primary duty to take care of the Soldiers I served with, and I hope that I lived up to that responsibility."
Sgt. Philip Harvey, who served as Gioia's personal security officer during the division's recent 15-month deployment, returned to wish Gioia well as he started his new career as a civilian.
"He has some good things ahead of him as he begins his post Army career," said Harvey. "He has his future ahead now and he still has a lot more to give to the Army family."
"Even though I will no longer put my boots on, or wear a uniform I will always remain a proud American Soldier," said Gioia.
Gioia was selected in 2007 as the division's senior enlisted leader while he was serving in Grafenwoehr, Germany as the command sergeant major of Joint Multinational Training Command.
Gioia joined the Army June 27, 1981, from Buffalo, N.Y., and attended Basic Training and Engineer Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was originally stationed in Fort Devens, Mass., followed by multiple assignments to Germany, Korea, Fort Hood and two deployments to Iraq.
Throughout his 28-year career, he has served in every enlisted leadership position from Sapper and demolitions sergeant to his current position as Command Sgt. Maj. of the 4th Infantry Division. Other assignments he held as a command sgt. maj. were for the 82nd Engineer Battalion; for the 1st Inf. Div. Engineer Brigade; for the Multi-National Brigade East, Task Force Falcon, Kosovo; and the Joint Multinational Training Command, United States Army Europe.
His most recent assignment was as the Command Sgt. Maj. for Multi-National Division - Baghdad serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.
Gioia became only the third division command sergeant major in the history of command sergeants major with an engineer career background and was the only one to lead his division into combat operations.
He is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Morales and Sergeant Audie Murphy Clubs.
"He has been everything I could've asked or wanted in a command sergeant major for the past two years," Hammond said. "He will be missed. He has made a great mark in this division's history and in the hearts and minds of Soldiers and families."
"He was the voice of his Soldiers, he shared their risk and above all he was a Soldier's Soldier," said Hammond. "The Gioia's will always be Steadfast and Loyal members of this division."
The division welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey and his wife Holly, to the 'Steadfast and Loyal' division. He is not new to the Ironhorse family. Before assuming the duties and responsibilities as the 18th 4th Inf. Div. command Sgt. Maj., Dailey's most recent assignment was as the Command Sgt. Maj. for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. where he deployed for a third time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.
CSM Dailey's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (10th award), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Medal (2nd award), Korea Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (4 bronze service stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), South West Asia Service Medal (1 bronze service star), Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4th award), and Army Service Ribbon. Additionally he has been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab and Drivers Badge (wheel). CSM Dailey is the recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion).
CSM Dailey is also a member of the prestigious Audie Murphy Club.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2009 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 35171 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 1,207 |
| Downloads: | 874 |
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