Lieutenant General Martin presents the award to Commissioner Monique Seefried

WW1CC Commissioner Monique Seefried receives Secretary of Defense honor 

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

This week, the US Defense Department honored our WW1CC Commissioner, Dr. Monique Seefried, for her remarkable efforts in telling the story of World War I, both here and in her native France.

The award, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, was presented to Commissioner Seefried by Lieutenant General Joseph M. Martin, the Secretary of the Army's Director of the Army Staff, in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Attendees at the ceremony included other WW1CC Commissioners, Dr. Matthew Naylor, and Mr. Jerry Hester, both of whom have worked closely with her in her education and international liaison efforts for the Commission.

The medal is the second highest award presented by the Secretary of Defense to non-career Federal employees, private citizens, and foreign nationals for contributions, assistance, or support to Department of Defense functions that are extensive enough to warrant recognition.

The award consists of a silver medal, a miniature medal, a rosette, and a citation signed by the Secretary of Defense. Some notable past recipients include diplomat Richard Armitiage, entertainer Marie Osmond, legendary Navy diver Carl Brashear, former First Lady's Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton.