Chamber honors Soldier with Order of Merit Award

  • Published
  • By Kent Cummins
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce recently recognized a Team Goodfellow member as one of the 'best of the best.'

The Chamber presented Army Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Masshardt of the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion here with the annual Order of Merit Award during a special ceremony March 8, at Fort Concho in San Angelo.

"The Order of Merit is presented to a servicemember who has exhibited outstanding professional military performance and exemplary civic involvement," said Bob Brewer, Chairman of the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee. 

Sergeant Masshardt was one of five Goodfellow nominees.

"It's an honor to nominated as the representative of the 344th MIB and to share that nomination with fellow servicemembers from the Air Force, Navy and Marines," Sergeant Masshardt said.

"It's always a very difficult task to select just one recipient for the Order of Merit Award because all of the candidates are simply outstanding," Mr. Brewer said. "But we do have to narrow it down to just one. The candidate we chose for the Order of Merit Award has a proven track record of leadership and community service."

Sergeant Masshardt served as the unit's Combined Federal Campaign representative raising more than $26,000, exceeding the Battalion goal by 230 percent. His efforts accounted for 14 percent of the base's goal.

His civic involvement included teaching, coaching and mentoring a local Girl Scout Troop as well as serving as an active board member for the Holiman Elementary Parent Teacher Association. He also organized his Company's support of the local Feast of Sharing event, resulting in 50 Soldiers serving more than 3,000 meals to local residents during the holiday season.

The sergeant helped create a Soldier-led designated driver program for his unit and is a member of the Sentinel Foundation, which helps defray Soldier costs during emergencies and fiscal hardships.

"To be the recipient of this award and to be recognized by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce is truly something special," SergeantMasshardt said. "The local community here has always been supportive of the military and this award reaffirms their commitment to Goodfellow and the servicemembers who are stationed here."

The sergeant's Battalion Commander appreciates the community's efforts to recognize military members.

"The people of San Angelo are very supportive of the military and it was great to see the Chamber of Commerce recognize Staff Sgt. Masshardt for his continuous effort to better the lives of Soldiers and the community of San Angelo," said Lt. Col. John J. Bonin, 344th MIB Commander.

Colonel Bonin also lauded his NCO's unselfish service.

"His dedication to our Soldiers and the community epitomizes our Army value of 'Selfless Service,'" he said. "Not a week goes by where he is not organizing a group of volunteers to support a community or military event. He is a true role model for the future generation of Soldiers we are training here at Goodfellow."

The other nominees for the Order of Merit Award were Navy Petty Officer 1st Class William Sum, Navy Center for Information Dominance Detachment; Marine Staff Sgt. Justin Jenson, Marine Corps Detachment; Tech. Sgt. Camille Horton, 17th Medical Group; and Senior Airman Christopher Terrell, 17th Training Group.