May 25, 2006
Ambassador Tefft to Award Bronze Star to Georgian Army Captain, George Shengelia
Tbilisi -- May 26 2006, at 11:30 am, United States Ambassador to Georgia, the Honorable John Tefft, will present the Bronze Star to Georgian Army Captain George Shengelia. Ambassador Tefft will be joined by President Saakashvili in making the presentation.
The presentation of the Bronze Star was enthusiastically supported by all members of the United States chain of command in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Washington. The citation reads:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This is to certify that the President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order, 24 August 1962, has awarded the Bronze Star Medal to Captain George Shengelia, Georgian Army, 13th Infantry Battalion for exceptionally meritorious service as a member of the Multi-National Corps Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His outstanding performance and dedication to duty during combat operations in Iraq were critical to the overwhelming success of the command's mission. His actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Multi--National Corps Iraq, and the Georgian Army. From 15 March 2005 to 1 September 2005
Captain Shengelia served as Battalion Commander of the 13th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade from 2003 to 2005. He led the 13th Infantry Battalion through the Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) in 2003, forging one of Georgia's first professional units. He then led the battalion in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to September 2005. Following his return to Georgia, Captain Shengelia was appointed as Commander of the Third Infantry Brigade.
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated February 4, 1944, retroactive to December 7, 1941. The Executive Order was amended by President John F. Kennedy, per Executive Order 11046 dated August 24, 1962, to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces. Awards of the Bronze Star Medal to friendly forces have been extremely rare.
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