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2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients

Categories: Distinguished Graduate Award, Events & Awards, Grad News
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The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) has named the 2016 recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award. This annual award has been bestowed upon those West Point graduates whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” The awards will be presented in a ceremony at West Point on May 16, 2016. View photos of the event here. The 2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients are:

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient Louis Gross '54

Mr. Louis Gross ’54

BG (R) John C. Bahnsen Jr. ’56

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient BG (R) John C. Bahnsen Jr. '56

Warrior, staff officer, mentor, author, motivational speaker, and West Point supporter, BG (R) John C. “Doc” Bahnsen Jr. has played many roles in his six decades since graduating, but each has been accomplished adhering to the ideals of West Point. The most highly decorated member of his Class and a member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame, Bahnsen served two tours in Vietnam and commanded a platoon, a troop and a squadron. He received 18 decorations for valor and two Purple Hearts. As a General Officer he served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Armored Division and as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Combined Forces Command (Korea) and III Corps (Fort Hood, TX). A loyal fan of Army West Point Rugby, Bahnsen has presented a pistol to the team captain for going on 20 years. For just as long, he was a mainstay at the Academy giving pro bono lectures to cadets on duty, history, and leadership. According to LTG (R) Dave Palmer ’56, the 53rd Superintendent, “Our Army is still today liberally sprinkled with graduates who were inspired by him to a lifetime of service.”

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient Joseph B. Anderson Jr. '65

Mr. Joseph B. Anderson Jr. ’65

Mr. William P. Foley II ’67

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient William P. Foley II '67

A successful entrepreneur and businessman in several industries (real estate, specialty finance, and even vineyards and wine), William P. “Bill” Foley credits West Point for giving him the education and military skills to lead, make decisions, prioritize and multitask. He used his West Point experience to eventually become Chairman, CEO and President of Fidelity National Financial, Inc., one of Forbes magazine’s “26 Best Managed Companies in the U.S.” His commitment to West Point’s core principles has also encouraged him to give back in numerous ways: the Foley Family Foundation supports after-school programs for underprivileged children, the Folded Flag Foundation assists with the educational needs of family members of deceased service members, and the Rock Creek Cattle Company hosts disabled veterans on its 30,000-acre Montana ranch. Furthermore, Foley’s philanthropy has revolutionized USMA athletics with the Foley Indoor Athletic Complex and the Foley-Enners-Nathe Lacrosse Center (now under construction). “I know of no other graduate who has done so much for so long in so many different areas to support West Point,” says Jodie Glore ’69, former Chairman of WPAOG.

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient GEN (R) Richard A. Cody '72

GEN (R) Richard A. Cody ’72

GEN (R) Keith B. Alexander ’74

2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient GEN (R) Keith B. Alexander '74

GEN (R) Keith B. Alexander had a long and distinguished Army career focused on technology and intelligence. As a captain, he completed analysis work that led to the first-ever Army Intelligence Plan, which was used to deter the Soviet threat during the Cold War. As a colonel, he played a crucial role in improving battlefield visualization through intelligence. After assignments with U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and as the Army’s G2, he became the first Intelligence officer to achieve the rank of general. In 2005, he was named Director of the National Security Agency, where, according to GEN (R) David Petraeus ’74, “…his initiatives were path-breaking and truly critical to Operation Iraqi Freedom.” He was also the founding commander of U.S. Cyber Command. According to GEN (R) Martin Dempsey ’74, the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Alexander “has been our true north in developing our Armed Forces and Nation’s cyber security and intelligence capabilities,” and former Vice President Dick Cheney said, “General Alexander was one of the very best officers I worked with in my 44 years in government.”

Distinguished Graduate Award

The Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) is to be given to graduates of the United States Military Academy whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” The DGA is funded by a generous endowment from E. Doug Kenna ’45 and his wife, Jean.

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