Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Two parts: 1. What award (trophy)is presented annually to Marine Captains in the Ground Combat Arms serving on active duty as a company or battery commander with the ground forces of the Fleet Marine Force at the time of nomination. 2. What was different about this years nomination? Very prestigious for a Marine Corps Captain to receive.

Leftwich Trophy - CAPTAIN JOHN W. MALONEY, 1ST BN, 5TH MAR, 1ST MARDIV, I MEF, MARFORPAC AS THE CY 2005 RECIPIENT OF THE LEFTWICH TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP (POSTHUMOUSLY). My former CO when I was stationed in Tennessee was the 1997 reciepient of the award. He is now a LtCol enroute to the War College. I speak of him often and fondly here. He is the most incredible Marine I have ever had the honor of knowing. I realize you werent expecting me to answer, I just knew the first part of the answer, and the second part wasnt hard to find.

Right you are top.... The Leftwich Trophy for Outstanding Leadership is an award presented annually in memory of Lieutenant Colonel William Groom Leftwich, U.S. Marine Corps, killed in action in the Republic of Vietnam in November 1970. Eligible nominees are Marine Captains in the Ground Combat Arms serving on active duty as a company or battery commander with the ground forces of the Fleet Marine Force at the time of nomination. His son was my XO in 2/2 from 97-99, Maj William G Leftwich, good officer but must be tough living under the shadow of a truly great Marine!

Much as LtCol Brian Christmas (a former Recruiting Duty Ops Officer in WV I worked with daily) is under his fathers shadow (Gen R. Christmas).