The Association of the U.S. Army’s highest honor for distinguished and selfless service is being awarded this year to the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer.

This is not the first time the George Catlett Marshall Medal has gone to a group instead of a person. In 2020, the Marshall Medal was awarded to The Army Family. It was awarded to The American Soldier in 2004.

“From the American Revolution to today, the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer has been the backbone of the force, training, leading, coaching and taking care of soldiers,” said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. “They are the standard-bearers, expert professionals who are the essential connective tissue of the Army’s formations and the envy of all other militaries in the world.”

Brown added, “This is why I think it’s most appropriate to present the George Catlett Marshall Medal, AUSA’s highest award, to the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer.”

The award will be presented at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition Oct. 14–16 in Washington, D.C.

“While we can never do enough to recognize all that they do to ensure America’s Army remains the premier land force on the planet, the Marshall Medal is one way to publicly honor these NCOs for their hard work, dedication and passion every day, whether at home or in combat,” Brown said.

The Marshall Medal, awarded annually by AUSA since 1960, is named for General of the Army George Catlett Marshall Jr., a former Army chief of staff who also served as secretary of state, secretary of defense and U.S. special envoy to China in a public service career that spanned the Spanish-American War through the Truman administration.

“Since 1775, the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer has selflessly served our soldiers, our Army and the American people. In doing so, they have come to be known as the backbone of our Army,” said retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, AUSA’s vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs. “Awarding the Army NCO the George Catlett Marshall Medal is a fitting testament to the selfless efforts of all NCOs past, present and future.”

Past recipients of the Marshall Medal include Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush; General of the Army Omar Bradley; and retired Army Gens. Gordon Sullivan, Lyman Lemnitzer, Colin Powell, Bernard Rogers, Maxwell Taylor, John Vessey Jr. and Martin Dempsey.

Other recipients include two former defense secretaries who also served as directors of the Central Intelligence Agency, Leon Panetta and Robert Gates; Duke University head basketball coach and U.S. Military Academy graduate Michael Krzyzewski; comedian Bob Hope; and actor Gary Sinise.

Last year’s recipient was retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, the 34th Army chief of staff and former Veterans Affairs secretary.