Beginning in 2009, the Army Heritage Center Foundation has recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, the Army, its Soldiers, and their Families. The Foundation presents three recognition awards at its annual membership dinner: the Armstrong Award, the Living Legends Award, and the Boots on the Ground Award.

The Major General John Armstrong Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and its programs. MG John Armstrong was a Soldier, a Statesman, a Leader, and a Pioneer who helped shape the development of our Nation. He helped found Carlisle, Pennsylvania, served our Nation during the American Revolution in the Continental Army and the Pennsylvania militia and served as a member of the Congress after our freedom from Great Britain was won. Our recipients, through their efforts, are helped build an institution that will provide a resource to the Nation.

MG John Armstrong Awardees:

2009-Mr. Clifford Jones – Mr. Jones was recognized for his efforts in building local and regional support for the development of the U.S. Army     Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC). As the Co-Chair of the Governor’s Pennsylvania Base Development Committee, he worked with BG Joseph McCarthy to build the support of local, regional, and Commonwealth leaders, to include Governor Tom Ridge, for the creation of USAHEC.

After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea during 1946 and 1947, his career of public service in Pennsylvania includes serving as Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor and Industry, Secretary of Environmental Resources, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, President of Pennsylvanians for Effective Government, President of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, President for the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. He served as Co-Chair of the Governor‘s BRAC Pac under Governors Ridge, Schweiker, and Rendell. He was also a member of the Governor’s Action Team for Economic Development under Schweiker and Rendell. He also served on multiple advisory boards and commissions including Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority, and the Army Heritage Center Foundation, to list a few. Mr. Jones passed away in May 2008 in Mechanicsburg, PA.   

2009- BG Joseph McCarthy, USA Ret. – General McCarthy was recognized for his inspirational role as founder and President of the Army Heritage Center Foundation and his untiring efforts since the mid-1990s to bring a world class museum to Carlisle. He saw in the collection of the Military History Institute a greater potential for public education and outreach for the Army. Working with local, regional, Commonwealth, and national leaders, he built support for the development of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

BG McCarthy is a 1945 graduate from West Point and throughout his Army career he served in numerous command and staff positions in infantry, armor, and airborne units; in the Pentagon; and in the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served two tours in Vietnam and two tours at NATO headquarters in Brussels and Naples. He was the founding President of the Keystone Capital Chapter of MOAA (Military Officers Association), past president of the Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg, founding president of the Susquehanna Conference, and a founding board member of the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance. He was also Chairman and later Co-chairman of the Governor’s Pennsylvania Base Development Committee. General McCarthy passed away in April of 2010.

2010- The Citizens of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania - The citizens of Cumberland County and visionary leadership of its elected officials significantly contributed to the creation and development of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. During the project’s inception, the vocal support of community residents and the Commissioners offer to donate land as a home for the new Center’s campus proved instrumental in the Army’s acceptance of the project. Then as the project developed, the community’s financial assistance allowed the Foundation to continue its efforts to secure additional funds to design and construct Phase One of the Visitor and Education Center and to work with our federally elected officials to secure funds to support the construction of the Museum Support Facility and the expansion of programs at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

2010- The Citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its citizens have provided significant support to the development of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. Former Governor Tom Ridge provided strong and vocal leadership during discussions with the Army. He authorized early Department of Community and Economic Development grants that allowed the Foundation to facilitate the development of the complex. Our local elected state representatives obtained legislation that provided the authority for the project to receive Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects (RACP) grants. Former Governor Mark Schweiker authorized the RACP grant, and Governor Edward Rendell released money that supported the construction of Phase One of the Visitor and Education Center.

The Foundation recognizes and honors as Living Legends those Soldiers whose service illustrates both individual and group excellence and is significant to the history and heritage of the U.S. Army.

Living Legend Awardees:

   2009-Mr. Joseph Lesniewski - In October 1942, Joe enlisted in the Army Air Force. He completed Airborne Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia in late 1943. Afterward, he was shipped to Northern Ireland and on to work with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). After the Soviet Armies overran Warsaw, he requested to be sent to the 101st Airborne, and in March 1944, Joseph Lesniewski joined E (Easy) Company, 506^th Infantry Regiment. He jumped into Normandy at approximately 0100 hours on D-Day June 6, 1944. He landed near the town of Sainte-Mère-Église along with fellow E Company paratroopers. During the war, he and other members of Easy Company participated in the Battle for Normandy, Battle of Carentan, Operation Market Garden, and the Siege of Bastogne. His exploits were described in Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest and in Steven Spielberg’s miniseries for television Band of Brothers. He is one of 20 contributors to the 2009 book We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers, published by Penguin/ Berkley-Caliber.

2010- Retired Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Ney - Lewis Ney was born July 11, 1909 in Harrisburg and developed a love for horses while living on his grandparent’s farm. He joined the Army in 1928 when he was only 17. After serving most of his career with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, he retired after 33 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer.  As a dedicated “horse Calvary soldier” Lewis Ney celebrated his 100^th birthday on horseback. CWO Ney passed away in March of 2012.

2010- Sir Stanley Wojtusik - While still a high school senior, Wojtusik enlisted on December 21, 1943 into the 106th Infantry Division, 422nd Infantry Regiment. He arrived in England in November of 1944, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where his regiment became separated from the rest of the unit. With only an M-1 rifle to fight tanks, he scrambled from foxhole to foxhole and was captured by Germans. A recipient of the Purple Heart, knighted in Belgium and Luxembourg, and past National President of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Wojtusik worked tirelessly to ensure Battle of the Bulge veterans are honored for their service and sacrifice with a monument at Arlington National Cemetery.

2011- COL Robert W. Black, USA Ret. - A member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, Colonel Black distinguished himself throughout his military career, rising from the rank of Recruit to Colonel. Serving in Korea as an enlisted Soldier in the 8^th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) and as a commissioned officer in Vietnam, Black was twice awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Colonel Black has since become the foremost historian of Army Rangers. He has written extensively on the subject of Army Rangers, informing a wide audience of their contributions to our national development and security. Colonel Black was even able to secure the coveted Ranger Tab award for his unit’s accomplishments in Korea and assist other Ranger units to acquire decorations earned but not received. He is the founder of the Ranger Research Collection at the U.S. Military History Institute; and through his exhaustive research, Colonel Black has helped to recognize and honor the service of many Ranger units and keep their legends and history alive.

2011- BG James Herbert, USA Ret. - A member of the Ranger Hall of Fame and a graduate of West Point, General Herbert embodies devotion and sacrifice. As a Captain commanding the 8^th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) in Korea, he demonstrated his remarkable character in the face of overwhelming odds. When Chinese forces threatened to engulf the 24^th Infantry Division, Herbert led 89 of his fellow Rangers into action. Despite being shot multiple times, Herbert’s daring leadership saved the lives of many American infantrymen. Herbert’s role in establishing the Ranger Department at the U.S. Army Infantry School, his service in Korea and during the Vietnam War, and his thirty years of Army service are an inspiration to all Rangers and Soldiers.

The Foundation recognizes with the Boots on the Ground Award individuals and organizations whose contributions and service demonstrate their commitment to the U.S. Army, its Soldiers, and their Families.

Boots on the Ground Awardees:

2010- The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - The McGowan Institute serves as a single base of operations for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s leading scientists and clinical faculty working to develop tissue engineering, cellular therapies, biosurgery, and artificial and biohybrid organ devices. Technology developed by the Institute is being used in a study managed by the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research in San Antonio. The study is assessing the feasibility of restoring some function to the hands and muscle tissue of Soldiers who have suffered significant loss. Through regenerative medicine research and the studies that the Army is conducting at the Institute for Surgical Research, there is hope that some functionality can be added to the hands of some of our brave wounded warriors.

2011- Mr. H. Ross Perot – Best known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Perot has consistently and often quietly supported and assisted Soldiers and their Families since the Vietnam War when he spearheaded a campaign to end brutal treatment of U.S. prisoners.

Today, Soldiers and their Families continue to benefit from Ross Perot’s consistent support of those who defend our Nation, personally and through his family's foundation.

We will be having our next recognition dinner on September 14, 2012,

so mark your calendars.