Captain Will Andrews, United States Army

2011 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year

A team leader that is so endeared by his actions and deeds that the United States three-star Army General overseeing Afghanistan looks to him for his work with the local Afghan people and the NATO and Jordanian soldiers he oversees; for what he has achieved in how to give security and leave security with the Afghans.

A native of Nampa, Idaho, Captain Will Andrews is currently attending the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated from American Military University and was commissioned in Air Defense Artillery in 2008. Captain Andrews recently returned from a year-long deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Captain Andrews served as a Site Commander, leading a Joint Police Training and Advisory Task Force in Eastern Afghanistan. Captain Andrews’ team was recognized by Senior U.S. and NATO Commanders for developing their Afghan Police counterparts to become the first Afghan-led Training Center in the region.

Captain Andrews’ awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Defenders of the Year