March 27, 2012
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VICKSBURG, Miss. – ERDC Director Dr. Jeff Holland was awarded the Silver Order of the de Fleury medal and ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) Director Dr. William Martin and ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) Director Dr. Robert Davis were awarded the Bronze Order of the de Fleury during a recent ceremony presented by Commander Col. Kevin Wilson in Vicksburg, Miss.
The medal, which was first created by the Continental Congress to honor Francois de Fleury, a French soldier who fought with Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War, honors individuals who have provided significant contributions to Army engineering. There are four levels of the de Fleury: Steel, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Holland was presented with the award in recognition for more than 32 years of exceptional service to the Engineer Regiment in many positions of increasing responsibility and highlighted by his achievements as ERDC director. Holland earned a bachelor’s in environmental engineering, with honors, from Western Kentucky University, and a master’s in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University. He earned a doctorate in civil engineering from Colorado State University. He has been in his current position since January 2010.
“This was quite a surprise,” said Holland. “Winning this award is a tremendous honor, but the contributions it represents are well beyond my own. Awards like this one are the result of hard work by the whole ERDC team -- a team I am thankful for and proud to be part of.”
A Memphis, Tenn., native, Martin was cited for outstanding leadership, selfless service and career contributions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and ERDC. He earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee, a master’s in the same and a master’s in business administration in finance, both from Memphis State University, and a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Memphis.
“The receipt of the de Fleury medal is especially meaningful to me in that it is awarded by the Engineer Regiment,” said Martin. “Having served over 39 years in the Regiment in various capacities, I fully appreciate the meaning and magnitude of receiving this particular award. I especially enjoy the fact that it represents not only my longevity and accomplishments, but also those of the men and women in my organization who work so hard to make the world a better and safer place for our American citizens and Soldiers.”
Davis was recognized for his exceptional performance for research and development accomplishments and leadership as the CRREL director. His accomplishments have significantly improved the capabilities of Soldiers in performing route clearance missions in current overseas contingency operations, strategic planning and mobility in survival of the world’s most austere environments. Davis earned a dual bachelor’s in geology and geography, a master’s in geography and a doctorate in geography, all from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
“This award is, I feel, the highest honor I’ve received during my career so far,” said Davis. “My favorite thing about my job is making something new – a new idea, a new concept, a new technology – some sort of a solution to a problem that exists out there, that makes a difference in how people operate.”