Bandleader is on list for MacArthur Award

A chief warrant officer at Fort Gordon has been selected at the regional level for the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.

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"I was excited, of course," said Jonathan Ward, the commander of the Signal Corps Band. "It's a big deal. Only 25 are nominated at this level."

The award is given to company grade officers and warrant officers in the active-duty Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard who demonstrate the ideals that Gen. MacArthur (1880-1964) stood for and are embodied in his credo of "Duty, Honor, Country."

Selection for the award is based on overall leadership performance and potential for future service to the Army and the nation.

Award recipients receive an engraved bronze bust of Gen. MacArthur that is sculpted exclusively for the program, according to the MacArthur Memorial Web site.

The Fort Gordon Signal Corps Band performs on the post and at community events.

The band plays in concerts and at special events such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances.

"Just about everything that happens on Fort Gordon that you think could use music, we support," Ward said.

In 2006, the band played at 314 events, from change-of-command ceremonies to the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on the base.

Recruiting is another important role for the band. In July, the band members combined recruiting with a humanitarian mission when they went to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina cleanup at an elementary school.

The chief warrant officer's nomination has been forwarded to the centralized selection board for further consideration.

The results will be released Thursday, March 1.