Tyla Eakins
Student Life Editor
@Tyla_Eakins
Cameron University’s George Keathley from the Department of Military Science recognized Army ROTC cadets with annual awards sponsored by the Department of the Army; national and local societies, organizations, businesses and by private individuals.
The Comanche Battalion honors cadets every year for outstanding performance in the areas of military science, academics, physical fitness, personal achievement and leadership.
Freshman Christian Ryter, sophomore Joshua Garcia, junior Andres Berber and senior Blake Delano received the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration Award, which is given to outstanding cadets in each military science year who show signs of being a strong officer.
Honored as Distinguished Military Graduates, which recognizes cadets in the top 20 percent of national accessions are Blake Delano, Norman Holcomb, Jamel Holt and Riley Palmer. Norman Holcomb was given The George C. Marshall ROTC Award, which is presented to the top senior in the ROTC program. Holcomb was also awarded the Lawton/Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award. This award is given to outstanding senior cadets contribute to the tasks of Cameron University and the Department of Military Science through professionalism and dedication. Along with these awards Holcomb received also received The Frank Rickard Infantry Award which is given to cadets selected to service in the Infantry Branch.
Donovan Heintzman was presented The AMVETS Award which honors third or fourth-year cadets who demonstrate excellence in military history.
Michael Ball was honored with The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ROTC Honor Certificate Award this award is presented to a third-year cadet seeking a degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, technology, or information management systems and has proved to be a student of high academic success.
Carolyn Belcher received The Association of the United States Army Award by being a third year cadet with academic success and by helping to advance the standards of the Department of Military Science.
She also received the National Society of The United States Daughters of the War of 1812 Award which is given to second year cadets who display high moral character and excellence in military history.
Christopher Lacock received The National Sojourners Award. This award is given to second or third year cadets who display and support the ideals of Americanism within the corps of cadets and shows potential in being an exceptional leader.
Nicholas Meaux received The General Society of the War of 1812 Award which is given to second year cadets in good academic standing who have high moral character.
Laura Espinosa received The Daughters of the American Revolution Award, an award given to fourth-year cadets in the top 25 percent of the cadets in ROTC and academic subjects who demonstrate loyalty, patriotism, dependability, good character, military discipline and leadership ability.
Christopher Reif received the Military Officers’ Association of American Award, which is awarded to an outstanding third-year cadet who displays outstanding potential in being a military leader.
Travis Murt received The Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Medal Award. This award acknowledges a third-year cadet who holds a leadership position within the cadet corps, attains at least a 3.0 grade point average in all academic classes and is active in the university and community affairs. He was also awarded The United States Automobile Association Spirit Award which is gived to third-year cadets who demonstrate the traits and characteristics that embody the spirit of service to others.
Alexander Laboyteaux, Joshua Garcia and Peter Ellis received the Military Order of the World Wars Award, this award honors first, second and third year cadets who will continue to be with the ROTC program and become an officer.
Michael Kolthoff received the Sons of the American Revolution Award. This award is received by first-year cadets who demonstrate a high level of merit with respect to leadership qualities in military bearing and excellence in ROTC studies and events.
Jacob Clarke received The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award this award honors fourth-year cadets who display success and strong effort in military science and academic subjects.
Spencer Black received The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award second or third-year cadets who display academic excellence and contribute most among cadets to inspire and express patriotism by deeds or conduct during participation in extracurricular activities for community projects are honored with this award.
Norman Holcomb and Miguel Hernandez received The Special Forces Association Award of Excellence, an award given to cadets who distinguish themselves in academic excellence and military proficiency, in keeping with the traditions and ideals of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
The Archie and Sue Lorentzen Educational Endowment Fund at the Air Warrior Courage Foundation which recognizes academic excellence gave the Arch Lorentzen Grant to Carolyn Belcher and Dominic Mucker.
Garin Gray, Tanner Weston and Isaac Rubio received the E. Virginia Charlson Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Zaine Steinmeyer and Christian Ryter received The Sergeant York Award given to the cadets who do most to support the ROTC program.
The department of military named Brandon Crisp, Brandon Meaux, Keesha Holcomb and Norman Holcomb as the Top Cadet in Each Military Science Level in recognition of scholarship, athletic and leadership excellence.
Military Science Instructors named Norman Holcomb and Nicholas Meaux as the top cadets.