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2013 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 2013 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 21, 2013. The 2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients are:

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient LTG (R) Robert G. Yerks '51

LTG (R) Robert G. Yerks ’51

GEN (R) John W. Foss ’56

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient GEN (R) John W. Foss '56

With his “lifetime training-teaching-mentoring” model, General (Retired) Foss demonstrated combat arms leadership practices by example and is credited with influencing the broader values that helped the Army win in both Operations Just Cause and Desert Storm. Foss also modernized Army training and development policies and practices. As a Ranger School instructor (later elected for the Ranger Hall of Fame) and later Chief of Infantry, he intensified and expanded Ranger training and otherwise improved dramatically the effectiveness of the ground-fighting force. Teaching now for 20 years, Foss is currently a Senior Fellow at the Joint Forces Staff College and prepares field grade officers of all Services.

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient Mr. Lee R. Anderson '61

Mr. Lee R. Anderson ’61

LTG (R) Theodore G. Stroup Jr. ’62

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient LTG (R) Theodore G. Stroup Jr. '62

Throughout an exemplary military career spanning 34 years, Lieutenant General (Retired) Stroup demonstrated daily the qualities of selfless service and devotion to his country, to his community, and to West Point. After retiring from active duty, he became involved in the West Point Society of the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region (the largest West Point society), and he was a driving force behind the Class of 1962’s 50th Anniversary Class Gift Campaign. In 2006 he became the first Chairman of the Board under the newly configured governance structure of the West Point Association of Graduates, and during his tenure, some $100 million was raised to support WPAOG programs.

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient LTG (R) Joseph E. DeFrancisco '65

LTG (R) Joseph E. DeFrancisco ’65

GEN (R) Boonsrang Niumpradit ’71

2013 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient GEN (R) Boonsrang Niumpradit '71

General (Retired) Boonsrang finished his military career in 2008 as the 26th Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (equivalent to the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff). At the Supreme Command Headquarters, Boonsrang contributed immeasurably to peace, democracy, and education in his native Thailand and in the Pacific Region. With the help of his leadership, a democratic system of government reestablished itself in Thailand after a 2006 coup. He remains actively engaged in Thai society, working to establish a stronger ethical emphasis among Thai youth and to organize forest restoration and reforestation missions.

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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