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Edmund V. (Ed) Armento Navy Public Service Award 2020

EDMUND V. (ED) ARMENTO RECEIVES DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY AWARD  

Louisville, KY: During a belated commemoration of the 245th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, on Friday, November 13, 2020, Edmund V. (Ed) Armento, longtime secretary of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky (MCCCK) was presented with the Department of the Navy “Superior Public Service Award.” It is the second-highest honor bestowed by the Department of the Navy and recognizes significant contributions by a private civilian to the Navy, Marine Corps or entire Department of the Navy. Ed Armento received the award in recognition of his voluntary service with the Louisville Armed Forces Committee, Patriots Peace Memorial, and MCCCK, all of which focus on assisting military personnel and families, suffering from a loss of loved one, illness, injury, or financial distress. This prestigious award was officially presented to Ed Armento by Major General Richard A. Huck, USM (Ret), who commanded the 2nd Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, as General Anthony C. (Tony) Zinni, USMC (Ret) oversaw the ceremony via Zoom video from his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, due to mitigating restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accepting the award on behalf of the MCCCK, Ed Armento paid tribute to three veterans, whose benevolent leadership played a critical role in shaping the charitable nature of the MCCCK: David A. Jones, Sr., Martin G. Hanse, Sr., and James E. “Ted” Bassett III, all of whom shared a common philosophy, that true happiness in life can only be attained by helping others. Acknowledging that this award essentially recognized the benevolent work of the entire MCCCK, Ed Armento gratefully accepted same as a symbolic custodian on behalf of all who have reconnected with their Marine Corps roots through the MCCCK. Ed Armento, who has served as secretary of the MCCCK since 1998, has also received a Semper Fidelis Award from the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation.

Following his honorable service in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer, which included extended deployments to Europe and Vietnam, Ed Armento embarked on a 32 year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, retiring as Supervisory Special Agent with federal responsibilities for counterterrorism and foreign counterintelligence within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As reflected within the Department of the Navy “Superior Public Service Award” citation, signed by General David M. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, his “selfless patriotism and dedication to Corps, country and community reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

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