On the most threatened Peninsula in the world, with nuclear weapons and proliferation of complex missiles led by a spoiled and disrespected dictator heeding for U.S. and international reaction, we give recognition to the excellence of our Korean and American missile defenders on the Korean Peninsula that negate the North Korean missile threat.
Since the 2018 Winter Olympics in Seoul, when the Kim Jung Un charm offensive began, missile defense capabilities on Peninsula has enabled the Sunshine Policy by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to be amendable with North Korea to work towards a better bilateral relationship and a future unification, while steadfastly holding to the denuclearization of North Korea. The complexity, modernization, testing, development, and production of missiles by North Korea to threaten the Korean Peninsula has not stopped. While these North Korean actions undermines stability in the region, while simultaneously conducting a charm offensive, is being addressed by the Republic of Korea and the United States missile defenses on the Peninsula.
Thursday night on Camp Humphreys near Pyeongtaek, Korea we held our Peninsula Missile Defender of the Year award ceremony and recognized for their excellence in leadership 35 men and women from the United States Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade and the Republic of Korea’s 2nd ADA and 3rd ADA Brigades.
Here are the 2019 Peninsula Missile Defenders of the Year
United States Army’s 35th ADA Brigade
LTG Thomas Vandal MVPs
1LT David Johnston
CPL Donald Whicher
Information and Coordination Central (ICC) Crew – 6-52
SPC Matthew Miller
PFC Robert Williams
THAAD Fire Control Communication (TFCC) Crew – D-2
1LT Kyle Weiner
SPC Joshua Kadukara
PFC Cory Foraker
Engagement Control Station (ECS) Crew – A/2-1
2LT Madeline Carlson
SPC Ethan Hayes
PFC Dylan Verran
TLS – D-2
SGT Juan Padilla
SPC Brenden Miller
PFC Shawn Young
Battery Command Post (BCP) Crew – B/2-1
PFC Justin Johnson
PFC Joshua Walker
Tactical Command System (TCS) Crew – 2-1
PFC Vincent Montgomery
PFC Vincent Tapia
PV2 Peter Maldonado
PV2 Danial Vincent
Launcher Crew – D/2-1
CPL Carlos Pagan
SPC Daniel Stevens
PFC Genaro Emiliano
PFC Jeremi Turner
Sentinel Crew
SGT Rebecca Howe
SPC Joey Borja
SPC Jesse Munoz
SPC Matteau Tanner
Avenger Crew
SGT Wyatt Petree
PFC Michael Needham
Republic of Korea 2nd ADA Brigade
2LT Kuk Min Cheol
SFC Lee Chan Woo
SSG Sim Haemosu
Republic of Korea 3rd ADA Brigade
1LT Jo Jeong Hee
SFC Park Woo Min
SSG Lim Jin Hyuck
Read a transcript of my speech.
Through their efforts together, they are helping to create peace, stability and prosperity for the Korean Peninsula. Each of them has made a difference and an impact to make Korea a safer place over the past year. They are commended.
