Illionis National Guard Inspector General Receives Legion of Merit

Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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Maj. Gen. William Enyart, pins Col. Mark VanUs of Springfieldwith the Legion of Merit Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Col. Mark VanUs, of Springfield, the command Inspector General of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard was awarded one of the U.S. military's most prestigious awards for his 30 years of military service.

Maj. Gen. William Enyart, of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, presented VanUs with the Legion of Merit during a staff meeting Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

VanUs, a Romeoville native, is a member of the active Army assigned to the Illinois National Guard through the National Guard Bureau. He has served as the Illinois National Guard's command inspector general for the past year following his assignment as the Director of Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems at Offutt Air Base in Nebraska. He officially retired on June 30, but was recalled by the United States Strategic Command to active duty to serve an additional tour.

The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself through exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

The Legion of Merit is the U.S. military's sixth highest award. A few other notable Legion of Merit recipients include current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Michael Mullen, U.S. Sen. John McCain, British Gen. Bernard Montgomery, French Gen. Charles De Gaulle, and Polish officers Col. Stanislaw Wozniak, Gen. Franciszek Gagor, and Lt. Gen. Wladyslaw Anders.

photo 1) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Maj. Gen. William Enyart, of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard pins Col. Mark VanUs of Springfield, the Command Inspector General for the Illinois Army and Air National Guard with the Legion of Merit Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

photo 2) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Col. Mark VanUs, of Springfield, the Command Inspector General for the Illinois Army and Air National Guard shakes hands with Maj. Gen. William Enyart, of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard after receiving the Legion of Merit Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

photo 3) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Col. Mark VanUs of Springfield, the Command Inspector General for the Illinois Army and Air National Guard accompanied by his wife, Vicky, speaks to senior leaders of the Illinois National Guard after receiving the Legion of Merit, one of the U.S. military's most prestigious awards for his 30 years of military service Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.