North Greenbush soldier earns Legion of Merit Medal
New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Carl Chapman of North Greenbush has received a Legion of Merit Medal during a ceremony at the New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.
Chapman earned the medal for his exemplary performance during 24 years of service. Col. Mark Frank, New York Army National Guard personnel director, presented the medal to Chapman, a human resources technical expert.
Frank praised Chapman as “one of the very best leaders, managers, integrators and advisers who I have served with in my career.” Chapman has always taken on and succeeded at tough assignments, according to Frank. “He has always ensured that soldiers are being taken care of at every step during his career,” Frank added.
Chapman thanked his family for their support over the years, as well as the soldiers he served with along the way. He enlisted in the Army in 1999 and served as a cryptologic linguist assigned to the 511th Military Intelligence Company of the 11 Armored Cavalry Regiment. He deployed to Iraq with the 501st Military Intelligence Company in 2003 as part of the 2nd
Armored Cavalry Regiment.
After completing his active duty enlistment in 2004, Chapman joined the New York Army National Guard as a personnel noncommissioned officer while pursuing a career as a New York City police officer. In 2007, he went on temporary active duty for a short time. Afterward, Chapman said he found that he liked being a soldier full-time. So in 2008, he became a full-time member of the New York Army National Guard.
He has served as detachment sergeant for the New York Army National
Guard’s Headquarters Detachment, and for the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters battalion, as well as a unit administrator and training noncommissioned officer in charge. Chapman eventually became a warrant officer. In the Army, warrant officers are technical experts who bridge the gap between noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers.
Also, during the ceremony, his wife, Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Lydia Chapman, was recognized for her support of his military career.
He was hired as a Department
of Defense civilian employee, allowing the New York National Guard to continue to benefit from his knowledge, Frank said. Chapman has also earned a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation and an Army Achievement Medal.
Best in Air Guard
New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Sam Doolittle of Cornwall, Orange County, has been recognized by the Air National Guard for his exemplary leadership, innovation and technical accomplishments as an emergency manager with the 105th
Airlift Wing’s Civil Engineer Squadron, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh.
Doolittle was selected as the Air National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Emergency Manager of the Year after competing with emergency managers assigned to Air Guard wings across the nation. He was chosen for a variety of achievements, including supporting multiple counter-violent extremist missions that have enhanced command and control capabilities during disasters.
Doolittle earned recognition for preparing his fellow airmen for emergencies as he instructed 32 Disaster Response Force classes and trained more than 200 personnel in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense, known as CBRN.
“It’s something I really enjoy,” Doolittle said, explaining his longtime fascination with CBRN weapons and how to defend against them.
He has also demonstrated innovation and resourcefulness in his role, partnering with environmental management and a local water facility to design new potable water procedures with a potential cost savings of up to $10,000 in the event of a water emergency. Doolittle also has led a Diversity and Inclusion Council while deployed. He oversaw three diversity events for 500 personnel, enhancing team cohesion and morale.
“Simply put, Staff Sergeant Doolittle makes people around him better,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Thomas, commander of the 105th Civil Engineer Squadron. “He is a team player who also leads by example. He has a passion for people, emergency management and the United States Air Force.”
Doolittle enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2018. He was introduced to the career field through an internship at New York’s Orange County Office of Emergency Management.
Church speaker
First United Methodist Church in East Greenbush presents guest speaker Dr. Gus Kapler at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. Kapler, a retired trauma surgeon who served in Vietnam in the 1970s, will share his experiences and speak about PTSD and suicide prevention. The event will be held at the church at 1 Gilligan Road.
He is the author of “Welcome Home From Vietnam Finally.”
Refreshments will be served.