U.S. Representative Ike Skelton receives Conspicuous Service Medal

By Spc. Jacqueline Courtney
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Gov. Jay Nixon presented Congressman Ike Skelton with the Conspicuous Service Medal during a ceremony Saturday at the Ike Skelton Training Center in honor of his long-time service to the Missouri National Guard and the people of Missouri.

The purpose of the medal is to recognize individuals who have done and performed distinguished and conspicuous service or services either civil or military which reflect honorably and creditably upon the state of Missouri.

"The American military of today looks much different than that of 34 years ago, when Ike took office," said Nixon. "The transformation of our armed forces into Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who wear the uniform today has been astounding - both in their physical, mental and emotional readiness, and in the tools they have to protect our freedom. That transformation is due in large part to the vision and determination of Ike Skelton."

Skelton has represented Missouri's Fourth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since 1977. A leader in the House on defense issues, Skelton is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. In the 109th Congress, he led the fight in the House Armed Services Committee to restore funding for end strength and force structure for the Army National Guard.

"I'd like to give him an extreme amount of thanks for what he has done with the military members, but specifically the construction of the facility's management office," said Lt. Col. Brent Beckley, the deputy commander of Agri-Business Development Team V. "All of his work and effort toward providing funding for military construction so that we can build the facilities that we need has helped tremendously."

Following the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations to realign the 131st Fighter Wing in Missouri, Skelton worked hard to get the 131st assigned as an associate wing with the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base. The 131st became the only reserve component to have the mission to fly the B2 Bomber with the active Air Force. This critical and elite Air Force mission preserved the heritage of the 131st Bomb Wing and increased the effectiveness of the Future Total Force.

"He pushed to have a joint operation of the Air Force and the Army National Guard together, which definitely helped a lot of things," said Sgt. Anthony Udovich, a security force squad leader in ADT-V. "Not everybody can do it, and he did. I have a lot of appreciation for that."

Skelton's support to the Missouri National Guard resulted in increased readiness and approval to modernize the AH-64A Apache Attack helicopters assigned to the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. He obtained funding for the Joint Force Headquarters, Missouri National Guard, at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City, Missouri.

"While tremendous new technologies have dramatically improved our military, Ike knows full well that they aren't what make our military great," said Nixon. "All of you put your lives on the line to protect the freedom of 300 million Americans, but you've done so knowing that Ike Skelton was there to stand up for you in Washington."

Skelton has taken a personal interest in visiting deployed Soldiers and Airmen. His dedication not only placed him in harm's way, but resulted in injuries to him while in Iraq. He has spent many days visiting the men and women of the Missouri National Guard, and is beloved by the Soldiers and Airmen for the personal care he has given to each of them.

"Here in Missouri, we are fortunate that we've had what I consider to be the best leadership in our generation," said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, Adjutant General of Missouri.
The amount of praise and thanks toward Skelton has been unanimous throughout the Missouri National Guard.

His efforts have brought a lot of soldiers to the National Guard in general, said Staff Sgt. Robert A. Powell, a communications sergeant in Directorate of Information Management.

"His contributions have been endless," said Beckley. "The benefits that I received when I joined verses what we're getting now are ten-fold, primarily due to a lot of his efforts. There is probably nobody up there now that has the level of understanding of the National Guard as he does."

Skelton's enthusiastic leadership, support and professional knowledge, distinguished performance, and sustained record of achievement reflect significant credit upon himself, the Missouri National Guard, and the State of Missouri.

"Enhancing our military readiness, modernizing our bases, and equipping those we send into combat with the weapons and supplies they need - all of these were labors of love for Skelton," said Nixon.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.