S.C. Generals receive Palmetto Patriot Award
June 1, 2011
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
June 1, 2011
COLUMBIA, SC – Brig. Gen. John W. Geiger and Brig. Gen. David H. Krumwiede – both members of the S.C. Military Dept.’s Joint Services Detachment (JSD) – received the Palmetto Patriot Award, the highest award bestowed by the Lt. Governor of S.C., for service and leadership to the state and nation during ceremonies at the Adjutant General’s headquarters building, Saturday, May 21.
Photo at right: Brig. Gen. David H. Krumwiede (top) and Brig. Gen. John W. Geiger
Geiger – a West Point graduate and U.S. Army Ranger who commanded a rifle company in combat during the Vietnam War and ultimately commanded the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) before retiring from the Army – has served in both the S.C. State Guard and JSD.
Krumwiede – a graduate of The Citadel, and holding degrees from both the University of South Carolina and Greenville Technical College – has held a variety of posts in the U.S. Army primarily in the realms of strategic intelligence, civil affairs, and security management. He too has served in both the State Guard and JSD.
Indeed, the recognition of these two outstanding general-officers is well-deserved, says Brig. Gen. James E. Lockemy, a judge on the S.C. Court of Appeals, former state representative, and current deputy commander of JSD. Equally important, this is also a recognition of the high-quality of service-minded, patriotic, and dedicated Americans in the S.C. Military Dept., specifically the JSD.
The Palmetto Patriot Award, signed by Lt. Governor (former) Andre Bauer before leaving office in Jan., was presented to Geiger and Krumwiede on behalf of Bauer by Brig. Gen. Larry Boyd, a near 28-year veteran of the State Guard who today serves in JSD.
The Joint Services Detachment is a state defense-force component (composed of volunteer officers from a variety of professional backgrounds) which reports – and provides services – to the adjutant general of S.C. For the past two years JSD has participated in various projects ranging from the 2010 national Medal of Honor convention in Charleston, to the physical expansion of the S.C. Military Museum and the furtherance of various legislative initiatives.
The S.C. Military Dept. is composed of the SCMD headquarters, the S.C. Army National Guard, the S.C. Air National Guard, the S.C. State Guard, JSD, the Emergency Management Division, and various other elements.
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