FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24, 2018 Media Contact: Kim McDermott | [email protected]

LIEUTENANT COLONEL MATTHEW R. MYER ’01 SELECTED FOR 2018 NININGER AWARD

West Point, NY: The West Point Association of Graduates is pleased to announce that Lieutenant Colonel Matthew R. Myer, Class of 2001, has been selected to receive the 2018 Alexander Nininger Award for Valor at Arms. The award will be presented on September 27, 2018, at West Point, New York. Myer is a third-generation West Point graduate. He is currently the Commander of the 1st -501st Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

Myer has deployed several times to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve from 2003 to today. While serving as a Captain and Commander in 2007-08, he commanded Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, , known under his command as the most decorated company in the Global War on Terrorism. His command included a 15-month deployment to Kunar and Nuristan Provinces, . During this tour, Chosen Company earned a Presidential Unit Citation Award and a Valorous Unit Award. In addition, 87 individual valor awards were earned by Chosen Company, including two Medals of Honor, two Distinguished Service Crosses, and 13 Silver Stars. Myer earned one of the 13 Silver Stars on July 13, 2008 for his command at the Battle of Wanat, the most documented battle of the war. During the Battle of Wanat, Myer commanded the force during a ferocious battle with a superior enemy force. He lost nine soldiers and exacted at least 50 enemy KIA while calling in Close Air Support, Close Combat Attack, Artillery, Mortars and multiple MEDEVACs. In addition, he personally risked his life on several occasions. Myer also earned an Army Commendation for Valor in 2007 for his actions in an ambush outside of Wanat.

Myer’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Overseas Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

About the Nininger Award for Valor at Arms The West Point Association of Graduates Nininger Award is given annually to a recent graduate who has been decorated for valor. The recipient is selected to represent all young graduates leading American Soldiers in combat and is invited to return to West Point to speak to the Corps of Cadets at dinner and interact with them in less formal seminars. The Nininger Award was established in 2006 on a suggestion from Mr. Doug Kenna ’45 that WPAOG bring the valorous combat deeds of West Point graduates in the Global War on Terrorism to the attention of the Corps of Cadets. The award is presented each year through an endowment created by Mr. Kenna and his wife Jean. The Nininger Award is named in honor of Lieutenant Alexander R. “Sandy” Nininger Jr. ’41, the first recipient of the in World War II. On January 12, 1942, Nininger voluntarily attached himself to another company in his Philippine Scouts regiment that was under heavy attack by Japanese forces near Abucay, Bataan. Wounded several times, he continued to advance in a counterattack and destroy enemy positions until he was killed.

About the West Point Association of Graduates The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is among America’s oldest educational alumni associations. Founded in 1869, the Association was established “to cherish the memories of [its] Alma Mater, and to promote the fraternal fellowship of its graduates,” many of whom had recently fought against each other in the Civil War. Today, WPAOG has evolved into a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation dedicated to furthering the ideals and promoting the welfare of West Point, and to serving and supporting the more than 53,000 living West Point graduates. Its philanthropic pursuits maintain a Margin of Excellence for cadets attending the Military Academy. For more information see www.WestPointAOG.org.

About West Point The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission remains constant—to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the U.S. Army. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.

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