Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE CAPTAIN JAY A. NORWOOD OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ON RECEIVING THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HIS EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN AND TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS COMMITTED SERVICE AS AN AMERICAN PATRIOT.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, which are so richly enjoyed in this nation; and
Whereas, Captain Jay A. Norwood of the South Carolina Army National Guard stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and
Whereas, this fine young man has so distinguished himself as to earn the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious service as a company commander in the South Carolina Army National Guard's 178th Engineer Battalion while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Captain Norwood's outstanding performance, expertise, and dedication to duty greatly contributed to the success of the unit's mission during combat operations and to the safe return of the 178th Engineer Battalion's one hundred sixty-one soldiers to South Carolina, which occurred on May 31, 2013, after a ten-month deployment to Afghanistan; and
Whereas, established by Executive Order 9419 on February 4, 1944, the Bronze Star Medal is an individual military award of the United States Armed Forces and may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone. The medal is the fifth-highest combat decoration and the tenth-highest U.S. military award in order of precedence; and
Whereas, as the leader of Task Force Prowler at Sharana Forward Operating Base in eastern Afghanistan, the 178th Engineer Battalion assumed the command and control role for both active-duty and National Guard units. The 178th Engineer Battalion conducted bomb clearance on more than ten thousand miles of roads, transported combat equipment, and ensured the safety of convoy routes. The unit also conducted training for Afghan Army personnel and oversaw the dismantling of forward operating bases. For their outstanding service, the battalion has been awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation; and
Whereas, a Summerville resident, Captain Jay A. Norwood is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan J. Norwood, Jr., of Vail, Arizona, and the grandson of Summerville businessman Major Sidney H. Brooks (Ret.) and Myrtle T. Brooks (both deceased). Jay Norwood graduated in 1996 from Summerville High School and holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences (criminal justice) from Excelsior College. In addition, he completed Officer Candidate School at the South Carolina Palmetto Military Academy in 2007 and formerly served in the U.S. Marine Corps; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in saluting Captain Norwood on receiving this well-deserved honor, the coveted Bronze Star, and the members wish this son of liberty much success and fulfillment in all his future endeavors. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Captain Jay A. Norwood of the South Carolina Army National Guard on receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service while serving a tour of military duty in Afghanistan and express the deepest appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his committed service as an American patriot.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Captain Jay A. Norwood.
This web page was last updated on June 26, 2013 at 1:13 PM