U.S. Military Academy Gives Obama A Prestigious Award

The United States Military Academy West Point has rewarded former president Barack Obama with a prestigious award.

West Point Academy awarded Obama the Thayer Award.

The Thayer Award is given to “an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify the military academy’s motto, Duty, Honor, Country.”

While accepting the award, Obama stated, “The thing I can still do is express my heartfelt gratitude and pride to every cadet for your commitment to service the American people.”

Just another Thursday at USMA. Honoring President Obama with the prestigious Thayer Award. pic.twitter.com/2IYgkFV12S

— Mike Buddie (@Buddie52) September 19, 2024

Obama arriving to conduct pass and review the cadets at @WestPoint_USMA and to be honored with the 2024 Sylvanus Thayer Award.

Awarded since 1958, this award recognizes exceptional citizens whose service embodies the West Point motto: "DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY."

Looks more like a… pic.twitter.com/YEZ8cO1dDf

— Louis Montoya (@montoyalouis1) September 20, 2024

Per Westchester 12 News:

Former President Barack Obama received a high honor at the United States Military Academy West Point.

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The Thayer Award is presented to an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify the military academy’s motto, “Duty, Honor, Country.”

Obama is the fifth U.S. president to receive the award.

While accepting the award Thursday, Obama said he felt profoundly humble.

“The thing I can still do is express my heartfelt gratitude and pride to every cadet for your commitment to service the American people,” said Obama.

President Barack Obama receiving the prestigious Thayer Award at the United States Military Academy this afternoon. He is the 67th recipient in the award’s history. Pretty neat to witness this up close at my Alma Mater. #DutyHonorCountry pic.twitter.com/pX5kLfQhgx

— James A. Gagliano (@JamesAGagliano) September 19, 2024

Here’s what West Point reported:

Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, will receive the 2024 Sylvanus Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates during ceremonies hosted by the U.S. Military Academy Thursday, Sept. 19. The Corps of Cadets will conduct a parade in his honor at 5 p.m. on the Plain, before the award presentation.

The Thayer Award, established in honor of Col. Sylvanus Thayer, “Father of the Military Academy,” is presented to an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify the military academy’s motto, “Duty, Honor, Country.” The Association of Graduates has presented the award annually since 1958.

Obama will be the fifth U.S. president to receive the Thayer Award during its 67-year history following Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.

“I want to thank the West Point Association of Graduates for this distinguished award,” said Obama. “I’ve been a longtime supporter of West Point’s mission and have always admired the leaders of character it has produced for our nation.”

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