The Noble Patron of Armor award is the top award given to supporters of the Army's mounted force by the United States Armor Association

United States Armor Association

The United States Armor Association is a non-profit organization with over 6,000 members dedicated to disseminating knowledge of the military art and sciences, with special attention to mobility in ground warfare.-History:...

 of the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

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History of the Noble Patron of Armor Award

In 1986 the United States Armor Association

United States Armor Association

The United States Armor Association is a non-profit organization with over 6,000 members dedicated to disseminating knowledge of the military art and sciences, with special attention to mobility in ground warfare.-History:...

 began an awards program to honor the very best of America's tankers and troopers. The Noble Patron of Armor award program provides the mounted force with a way to recognize outstanding supporters of the Armor Force, while the Saint George Award

Saint George Award

The Saint George Award, formally the Order of Saint George Medallion, is the top award given to members of the Army's mounted force by the United States Armor Association of the United States Army...

 recognizes members of the mounted force and the Order of St. Joan D'Arc Medallion

Order of St. Joan D'Arc Medallion

The Order of St. Joan D'Arc Medallion is the top volunteerism award given by the United States Armor Association of the United States Army.In 1986 the United States Armor Association began an awards program to honor the very best of America's tankers and troopers...

is awarded to spouses selected to receive these honors.

Official Statement

The United States Armor Association has developed the Noble Patron of Armor Award to recognize those individuals, other than active duty or reserve U.S. Army and Marine Corps tankers and cavalrymen, who have significantly contributed to the operational success, or the morale and welfare, of armor and cavalry organizations.

Submit Award Nomination On Line
While the popular and prestigious Order of St. George Medallion, initiated in 1986, is designed as primarily a U.S. Armor/Cavalry Branch specific award, we in the U.S. Armor Association realize that many other soldiers and civilians work hard to guarantee the success of our branch and its soldiers. The knightly image of a magnificent St. George charging bravely against the Dragon would be incomplete without an awareness of those patrons who championed his cause. In times of old, the PATRON provided the support that allowed the knight to go to battle, often caring for the knight’s sword and armor, attending to his mount, assisting in training, and frequently accompanying him into battle. It is in the tradition of the NOBLE PATRON -- a tradition of companionship and service alongside the mounted warrior -- that the U.S. Armor Association presents this new award.

Eligibility for the Noble Patron of Armor Award

The United States Armor Association awards its Noble Patron of Armor Award to individuals who have contributed considerably to the operational success of armor and cavalry organizations. The award is bestowed upon civilians or service members who are not branched armor.
Award Procedures
Who is eligible for the NOBLE PATRON OF ARMOR AWARD?

• Officers and Noncommissioned officers of branches other than Armor. Example: The battalion signal officer, chaplain, or food service NCO whose out-standing attention to duty allows a maneu-ver unit to excel in its operations or de-ployments.
• Foreign officers and noncommissioned officers who work directly with U.S. Army organizations in support of armor/cavalry missions. Example: A. An outstanding foreign liaison officer working for one year or more as an instructor at the U.S. Army Armor Center. B. A Foreign officer working for one year or more in an exchange capacity, or joint assignment, with a U.S. armor or cavalry organization.
• Officers and noncommissioned offi-cers of other branches of service who work directly with U.S. Army organizations in support of armor/cavalry missions. Example: A. An air liaison officer habitually associated with an armor or cavalry maneuver unit who, through his outstanding efforts, significantly contrib-utes to the unit’s mission accomplish-ments. B. A Navy officer who for one year or more demonstrates outstanding perform-ance in a joint service assignment with a U.S. armor or cavalry unit.
• Civilian employees of the U.S. gov-ernment who work directly with the U.S. Army organizations in support of ar-mor/cavalry missions. Example: The ammunition control officer whose attention to detail over a one year or more significantly contributes to a U.S. armor or cavalry organization’s mission accomplishment.
• Civilian community members who demonstrate continuing support of U.S. Army armor and cavalry organizations. Example: The mayor of a satellite town near a U.S. Army post, who, through his/her support over a one-year period, enhances the morale, welfare, or readiness of a U.S. Army armor or cavalry unit.

Specific Criteria: As indicated in the examples above, the NOBLE PATRON award is designed to recognize an individ-ual’s long-term support of armor and cavalry. The nominee need not be a member of the U.S. Armor Association.

Who may nominate an individual for the NOBLE PATRON OF ARMOR AWARD? Any member of the U.S. Armor Association may nominate an individual for the Patron award.

Who approves the NOBLE PATRON OF ARMOR AWARD? The first armor/cavalry colonel (O-6) in the chain of command, or another combat arms O-6 acting in a command capacity where his unit contains armor or cavalry forces.

Nature of the Award: A two inch, quality medallion and a lapel pin; a certificate of recognition.

–Receivers of the Award

• Major General Richard “Dick” Chegar, AUS (ret.)
• Don Stivers
• Mary Preston

Michael Shon McGuire