Illinois Army National Guard Infantryman Receives Order of Saint Maurice Award

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REND LAKE, ILLINOIS (02/10/2015)(readMedia)-- Maj. Gregory Settle of Chatham, Illinois, and Waltonville, Illinois, native, received the National Infantry Association's Order of Saint Maurice award Feb. 7 during the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regimental ball in Rend Lake, Illinois. Settle's assignment is the Illinois National Guard's International Affairs Officer (J5) in Springfield, Illinois.

Settle earned the award for his time with 2-130th, based in Marion, Illinois. During his 19 years with the battalion, his most recent position was battalion executive officer and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) officer in charge.

"Major Settle is a natural leader, aggressive in perseverance yet grounded in humility. His dedication and integrity are beyond reproach, and his guidance is frequently sought after by peers and subordinates," said his recommendation to the National Infantry Association by Maj. Casey Kline of Marion, Illinois, with 2-130th. "A fighting leader and veteran of multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan...Major Settle has been decorated for valor and commended for dedication on numerous occasions."

Fellow recipients in the audience joined Settle during the award presentation. Those Soldiers were Col. Rodney Thacker of Chatham, Illinois, Director of Plans, Training and Operations for the Illinois Army National Guard; Col. Mark Jackson, of Frankfort, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Director of Homeland Security (J3); Col. Henry Dixon of Chicago, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander; and Master Sgt. Gary Villalobos of Santa Maria, California, senior military science instructor with Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

"It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award in the presence of other award recipients," Settle said. "These gentlemen are true leaders and examples of what an Infantryman is capable of. I am humbled to stand beside them."

According to the award citation, "the Order of St. Maurice Award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the Infantry in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers. These individuals have also demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, an outstanding degree of professional competence, and have served the United States Army Infantry or the Infantry community with distinction."

Photo caption: (front center) Maj. Gregory Settle of Chatham, Illinois, and Waltonville, Illinois, native, received the National Infantry Association's Order of Saint Maurice award Feb. 7 during the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment ball in Rend Lake, Illinois. Also pictured are previous award recipients (left to right) Col. Rodney Thacker of Chatham, Illinois, Director of Plans, Training and Operations for the Illinois Army National Guard; Col. Mark Jackson, of Frankfort, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Director of Homeland Security (J3); Col. Henry Dixon of Chicago, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander; and Master Sgt. Gary Villalobos of Santa Maria, California, senior military science instructor with Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. (Courtesy photo)