Sergeant Major receives Legion of Merit award

SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, the former command sergeant major of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Illinois National Guard received the Legion of Merit during a ceremony July 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Clements received the award for meritorious service as the command sergeant major of the 404th MEB from June 2012 to January 2015.

Photo Cutline 1: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, the Land Forces Component Commander of the Illinois National Guard, pins the Legion of Merit on Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, during an award ceremony July 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Clements received the award for meritorious service as the command sergeant major of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the Illinois National Guard from June 2012 to January 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Photo Cutline 2: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, the Land Forces Component Commander of the Illinois National Guard, presents the Legion of Merit to Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, during an award ceremony July 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Clements received the award for meritorious service as the command sergeant major of the Illinois National Guard's 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the Illinois National Guard from June 2012 to January 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Photo Cutline 3: Sgt. Maj. Jerry D. Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, poses for a photo with his wife Julie and 13 year-old son Joel after an award ceremony July 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Clements received the award for his meritorious service as the command sergeant major of the Illinois National Guard 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade for the Illinois National Guard from June 2012 to January 2015. Not pictured is Clements 25 year-old son Jacob and Jacob's wife Katie whom both serve in the Illinois National Guard. Also not pictured is his 23 year-old Jessica and his 19 year-old daughter Jaylee. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)