VICKSBURG, Miss.— The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) received recognition for its exemplary support to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency received its first Army Superior Unit Award streamer during a special ceremony held July 14, 2025, at ERDC Headquarters. The award is a U.S. Army decoration presented to units for outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances during peacetime. The award, a green and red ribbon enclosed within a white frame, was attached to ERDC’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) flag.
The award, which is the first in the agency’s history, comes after ERDC’s service to others during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1, 2020, to February 29, 2022. ERDC provided mission-essential duties to support pandemic operations and response efforts.
Outgoing ERDC Commander Col. Dr. Christian Patterson saluted the ERDC team members who played significant roles in helping the organization earn the achievement.
“I was impressed with the resilience, excellence, and the professionalism you all displayed during that time, along with everything else that you did to support the nation and Warfighter,” said Patterson.
Patterson handed out commemorative lapel pens to the team as a token of his appreciation for their work. He encouraged them to wear it and proudly tell the ERDC story when asked about the lapel pen’s meaning.
“Whenever someone asks you what the lapel pen means, tell them the story about the power of ERDC. As we move forward, continue to do great things,” Patterson said. “You all are special, and I know that you can make great things happen. Wear your lapel pen with pride.”
The team’s dedication assures Patterson that more superior unit awards are in ERDC’s future.
“I know that this won’t be ERDC’s last streamer award,” Patterson said. “Because of what you contributed to earn this first award, I’m confident that your contributions will lead to more in the future.”