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Babauta gets special award
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Posted on Sep 08 2004
The 100 Battalion, 442d Infantry has awarded Capt. Franklin R. Babauta the Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding performance during the joint readiness training exercise at Ft. Polk Louisiana in February 2003.
Babauta got his award Sunday morning, Sept. 5, 2004, with LTC Allan D. Ostermiller calling the battalion to attention to present Babauta his commendation medal.
The recognition award lauded Babauta for his “outstanding duty performance while serving as company commander for Company E, 100th Battalion during JRTC 03-04 Rotation as Commander of the Opposing forces at Ft. Polk, Louisiana.”
The award further states that Babauta’s leadership and training “led to the defeat of a numerically superior dug-in enemy force, in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.”
The award brings credit not only on Babauta but also the 100th Battalion, 9th Regional support command, and the U.S. Army.
When asked how he felt about the award, he simply said: “ I’m happy. I tried very hard to stay battle-focused for any mission given to me by my superior.”
Babauta is currently on deployment as commander for the Echo Company, 100 Battalion, 442d Infantry. When asked his greatest concerns are in relation to this mission, he said it is to “bring everyone back home alive.”
At present, his priority is to continue training the soldiers to ensure that they are battle ready for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Fabian Indalecio)
