Each year, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation presents a series of awards to both Marines and civilian community members, recognizing their exemplary work in advancing and preserving Marine Corps history. The 2016 awards will be presented during a special ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on April 23, 2016.

During this year's ceremony, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation will present a special award to Chris Brubeck for his symphonic work "Quiet Heroes (A Symphonic Salute to the Flag Raisers of Iwo Jima)" and Wilfred Brimley who delivered a narration for the piece, accompanied by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.

The honorees and award winners this year include:

The John A. Lejeune Recognition for Exemplary Leadership

The John A. Lejeune Recognition for Exemplary Leadership for demonstrated leadership in their chosen profession or appointed or elected position that is clearly exemplary and worthy of emulation. The recipient must epitomize the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment; and practice the leadership traits and principles ascribed to by the United States Marine Corps.

2016 Recipient:
The Honorable John W. Warner
United States Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1979-2009

The Heritage Award

The Heritage Award for recognition of those who have provided unique and significant service to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in the fulfillment of its mission.

2016 Recipient:
General Joseph J. Went, USMC (Ret)
Lieutenant General Philip D. Shutler, USMC (Ret)
Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer, USMC (Ret)*
Brigadier General William Weise, USMC (Ret)
Colonel Roger H. Barnard, USMC (Ret)
Colonel James A. Bracken, USMC (Ret)
Colonel Gordon W. Keiser, USMC (Ret)
Colonel Gerald C. Thomas, Jr., USMC (Ret)*
Colonel Gerald H. Turley, USMC (Ret)
Lieutenant Colonel John J. Cahill, USMC (Ret)*
Master Gunnery Sergeant James G. Kyser, USMC (Ret)*
Mr. David H. Hugel
                                                                 *Awarded posthumously

The Colonel Joseph Alexander Award

The Colonel Joseph Alexander Award for a distinguished work of biographical or autobiographical literature about a Marine and is given in memory of Colonel Joe Alexander, historian, author, and longtime friend of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

2016 Recipient:
Colonel Glenn Harned, USA (Ret)
“Marine Corps Generals, 1899-1936”

The Bill Broyles Award

The Bill Broyles Award is for a distinguished play or screenplay by a playwright or screenwriter, dealing with U.S. Marine Corps heritage or Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. Lance Johnson
For his play “Community Service”

The Sergeant Major Dan Daly Award

The Sergeant Major Dan Daly Award for a distinguished example of still photography by an individual, in black and white or color, which consists of a collection of photographs capturing U.S. Marines or Marine Corp life.

2016 Recipient:
Sergeant Reece Lodder, USMC
“Boot Camp Prep

The Robert A. Gannon Award

The Robert A. Gannon Award for a distinguished volume of original verse by a Marine poet dealing with Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. Stanton S. Coerr
“Rubicon — The Poetry of War”

The General Roy S. Geiger Award

The General Roy S. Geiger Award sponsored by Colonel G.F. Robert Hanke, USMCR, in memory of his father, Wing Commander Ralph Hanke, Royal Air Force. It is named for General Geiger, the fifth designated naval aviator in Marine Corps history, who commanded both air and ground units during World War II. This award is given to the author of the best aviation article published during the previous calendar year.

2016 Recipient:
Lieutenant Colonel James McBride, USMC
“Electronic Warfare in Vietnam - How the Corps Became the Electronic Warfare Leader during the Vietnam War“ published in the Marine Corps Gazette, January 2015

The Sergeant William Genaust Award

The Sergeant William Genaust Award for a distinguished documentary and short subject (40 minutes or less) dealing creatively with U.S. Marine Corps heritage or Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. David Botti
“What makes a hero?”

The General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. Award

The General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. Award for a distinguished non-fiction book dealing with U.S. Marines or Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. Oscar E. Gilbert & Mr. Romain Cansiere
“Tanks in Hell: A Marine Corps Tank Company on Tarawa”

The Colonel Julia E. Hamblet Award

The Colonel Julia E. Hamblet Award funded by a bequest from the estate of Lotus Mort and judged by the Women Marines Association. It is given to the individual or team who has done the most to further the recognition of the history of women who have earned the title Marine.

2016 Recipient:
Ms. Sara Sheldon
“The Few. The Proud. Women Marines in Harm’s Way”
Ms. Sheldon’s writing and research brings credit to the women who have earned the title Marine. She continually takes action to ensure their history and accomplishments are not forgotten.

The Major Norman Hatch Award

The Major Norman Hatch Award for the best mini-documentary (longer than 40 minutes) dealing with historical or current Marine Corps subjects.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. Ken & Mrs. Betty Rodgers
“Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor
(Khe Sanh)”

Official Documentary Trailer

The Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr. Award

The Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr. Award for a distinguished example of feature writing by an individual dealing with U.S. Marine Corps history or Marine Corps life, giving prime consideration for high literary quality and originality.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. David J. Ulbrich
“The U.S. Marine Corps, Amphibious Capabilities, and Preparations for War with Japan” published in Marine Corps University Journal, Spring 2015

The Colonel Julia E. Hamblet Award

The Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal Award for a distinguished example of still photography by an individual, in black and white or color, which consists of a single photograph capturing the character of the individual Marine and the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps.

2016 Recipient:
Ms. Mindy Schauer
“Mom’s Home!”

The Major Megan McClung Award

The Major Megan McClung Award for a distinguished example of reporting by an individual covering U.S. Marines abroad.

2016 Recipient:
Staff Sergeant Ken Melton USMC (Ret)
“Company I Responds to SVBIED Attack” published on Marines.mil,
September 2005
Read the article

The General Oliver P. Smith Award

The General Oliver P. Smith Award for a distinguished example of local news reporting by an individual that illuminates the U.S. Marine Corps relationship with local communities.

2016 Recipient:
Mr. Tom Sileo
“The Protector”
Read the article

The Brigadier General Edwin Simmons-Henry I. Shaw Award

The Brigadier General Edwin Simmons – Henry I. Shaw Award for superior historical scholarship by a public historian.

2016 Recipient:
Col Nathan S. Lowrey, USMCR (Ret)
"US Marines in Afghanistan 2001-2002: From the Sea"

The Colonel John W. Thomason, Jr. Award

The Colonel John W. Thomason, Jr. Award is given to an individual artist for a distinguished work depicting some aspect of Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Ms. Mardie Rees
"Soul of the Forward & Faithful"

The James Webb Award

The James Webb Award for a distinguished fiction book dealing with U.S. Marines or Marine Corps life.

2016 Recipient:
Maj Rick Spooner, USMC (Ret)
The Dragon of Destiny & the Saga of Shanghai Pooley

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