Dr. Ed Link Awarded the Prestigious Gold de Fleury Medal

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Dr. Ed Link was recently honored for his service by the U.S. Army Engineer Association and Regiment. This is the highest honor given by the Regiment, and is awarded to only one individual each year. Dr. Link is a senior research professor with the department and the Project Management program. Dr. Link is also the Director of Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET).

The citation appears below:

The Army Engineer Association

On behalf of the Engineer Regiment is proud to award

The Gold Order of the de Fleury Medal

Dr. Lewis E. Link, Jr.

For Inspirational Leadership to the United States Army Corps of Engineers

For life-long and dedicated service to our country, Dr. Ed Link is recognized with the award of the Regiment’s Gold de Fleury medal. Dr. Link’s exceptional service and expertise has earned him numerous accolades from both the academic and scientific fields; and he has received numerous awards from varied institutions recognizing his work in Engineering Research and Development. As a senior executive service civilian, Dr. Link served as the Director of Research and Development and principal scientific advisor to the Chief of Engineers, from 1996 to 2002. During this period he led a diverse research and development program exceeding $550 million dollars annually, and also served as the Acting Director of the U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Dr. Link currently serves as the Director, Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force, leading the forensic analysis of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans: and has received the McGraw Hill, Engineering News-Record award of Excellence in 2007 for his work on Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Link’s professionalism and outstanding achievements reflect great credit upon himself, the Engineer regiment and the Nation.

Robert L. Van Antwerp

Lieutenant General, USA

Chief of Engineers

April 22, 2010

About the De Fleury Medal

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The De Fleury Medal was named in honor of François de Fleury, a French Engineer in the Continental Army.

As the Corps of Engineers implemented the US Army Regimental system, the senior Engineer leadership sought a method for the Corps of Engineers to honor those individuals who have provided significant contributions to Army Engineering.

The Army Regimental System was developed to emphasize the history, customs, and traditions of the Corps; so MG Daniel R. Schroeder, then Commanding General of Fort Leonard Wood and US Army Engineer School Commandant, wanted an award that would tie in with the beginnings of the nation and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Engineer Regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal as an award because of the values demonstrated by the man for whom it was struck - values of special meaning to Engineer Soldiers. It is understood that the de Fleury Medal was the first Congressional Medal struck, if not the first medal authorized.

Levels of de Fleury Medals

The Engineer Regiment makes three award levels of the de Fleury Medal. The BRONZE Medal may be presented to an individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment. The SILVER Medal may only be awarded to an individual who has rendered outstanding and significant support or service to the Engineer Regiment.

The United States Army Chief of Engineers awards only one GOLD Medal each year to an individual who exemplifies boldness, courage, and commitment to a strong national defense.

Presentation of the de Fleury Medal, to those individuals meeting established criteria, was started by the Engineer Regiment as the move of the Engineer School from Fort Belvoir, Virginia to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri was completed in 1989. The GOLD Medal presentation is the highlight of the annual Engineer Regimental Dinner held at Fort Leonard Wood each spring.

Gold Medal Recipients

1989 - The Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr. Secretary of the Army

1990 - The Honorable Robert W. Page Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

1991 - GEN Maxwell R. Thurman, USA Retired

1992 - GEN Andrew J. Goodpaster, USA Retired

1993 - LTG Emerson C. Itschner, USA Retired

1994 - Mr. John B. Mahaffey Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army

1995 - LTG Frederick J. Clarke, USA Retired

1996 - SMA Leon L. Van Autreve, USA Retired

1997 - LTG John W. Morris, USA Retired

1998 – Mr. Allen M. Carton

1999 – The Honorable Ike Skelton Congressman, State of Missouri

2000 - LTG Julius W. Becton, Jr., USA Retired and CSM Robert W. Elkey, (Posthumous)

2001 - LTG Max W. Noah, USA Retired and COL Claude L. Roberts, Jr., (Posthumous)

2002 - MG Richard S. Kem, USA Retired

2003 – Honorable Daniel K. Inouye Senator, State of Hawaii

2004 – COL Edward C. Gibson, USA Retired

2005 – LTG Daniel R. Schroeder, USA Retired

2006- MG John G. Waggener, USA Retired and SFC Paul Ray Smith (Posthumous)

2007- LTG Elvin R. “Vald” Heiberg III, USA Retired

2008- LTG Robert B. Flowers, USA Retired

2009-LTG Henry J. Hatch and Mr. Kisuk (Charlie) Cheung (Posthumous)

Medal Description

On the obverse of the medal is the Latin inscription meaning: "A MEMORIAL AND REWARD FOR COURAGE AND BOLDNESS". In the center appears the image of a helmeted soldier standing amidst the ruins of a fort, holding in his right hand an unsheathed sword, and in his left the staff of the enemy's flag, which he tramples underfoot.

On the reverse, again in Latin: "FORTIFICATIONS, MARSHES, ENEMIES OVERCOME". In the center the fortress at Stony Point is depicted with both turrets and a flag flying. At the base of the hill are two shore batteries, one of which is firing at one of six vessels on the Hudson River. Beneath the fort is the legend: "STONY POINT CARRIED BY STORM, JULY 15, 1779".

Published May 7, 2010