The following was posted this date within the Union Army HQ Forum.
OFFICERS OF THE ACWGC UNION ARMY,
ATTENTION TO RETIREMENT PARADE!
CITATION FOR UNION ARMY EXEMPLARY AND HONORABLE SERVICE MEDALS
AND ARMY OF THE SHENANDOAH SERVICE MEDAL
LIEUTENANT GENERAL ED BLACKBURN
Lieutenant General Ed Blackburn announced his retriement from active service within the ACWGC Union Army this summer after having served for a total of 11 1/2 years. General Blackburn's incredible record dates back to January of 2002 when he began his "career" with the Union Army of the Shenandoah. Ed's enthusiasm and commitment to the Club quickly became evident when he assumed his first divisional command within the VI Corps of that field army. By the summer of 2003 General Blackburn had become the VI Corps Commander, a position he held through December of 2005. From that time until July of 2006 Ed resumed command of a division, the Second Division of VI Corps. But higher duty called to him once again as he temporarily commanded the VI Corps until November. He resumed his divisional duties for the third time from then until April, 2007. General Blackburn then took a well-earned hiatus from administrative duties, commanding his own brigade for the next 3 1/2 years. In November of 2011 he, for the fourth time, consented to a divisional command, this time the Fourth Division of VI Corps, a position he held until August of last year. From then until last month he commanded the 4th Brigade, Second Division, VIII Corps. Throughout this entire span General Blackburn accumulated an impressive and honorable 57-18-26-11-35 battle record, and amassed over 2,135 OBD Points. He has received in his "career" among all the other of his battlefield and campaign ribbons, the Defender of the Union Medal (formerly the MOH), the Outstanding Service Medal, the Kearny Cross and the Sheridan Combat Medal. Few other officers have equalled such a performance!
Ed signaled his intention to sheath his sword in defense of the Union to allow himself greater involvement within our sister club, the NWC. There will always be a place for him within the ACWGC Union Army should he wish to return. On this occasion, I take great pleasure in recognizing his long-term service and "career" within the ranks of the Army of the Shenandoah by awarding him the Union Army's Exemplary and Honorable Service Medals, along with the unofficial Army of the Shenandoah Service Medal.
The ESM and HSM are the General's first such awards!
OFFICERS OF THE ACWGC UNION ARMY,
Present, ARMS!
Order, ARMS!
Parade, DISMISSED!
Please join me in saluting this fine officer for his service accomplishments and in celebrating his award! My tab is again open in all participating establishments.
