The West Point Society of the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region presents the Castle Memorial Award to the West Point graduate who has distinguished himself in exemplifying the ideals of West Point in both a military or civilian capacity. The primary objective of this award is to recognize a graduate whose outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service and stature draw wholesome comparison with the qualities that West Point strives for in keeping with its motto "Duty, Honor, Country," who has served our country well, and who has also achieved success in a second career outside the military in such fields as education, the ministry, medicine, science, or public service.
The 2004 Castle Memorial Award is presented to General Barry Richard McCaffrey for outstanding service to the Nation, to the U.S. Army, to his class, and to West Point. General McCaffrey has exemplified "Duty, Honor, Country" throughout his active duty and subsequent career and retirement.
Upon graduation from West Point in 1964, he was commissioned in the Infantry, joining the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, and serving in both the United States and combat operations in the Dominican Republic where he earned a Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1966 he was assigned to Vietnam where he earned a Distinguished Service Cross , two Bronze Star Medals with v-device and two Purple Hearts. His next assignment was as ADC to the CG, USARSO in 1967-68. Returning to Vietnam in 1968-69 as a company commander in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, he again displayed his bravery and combat leadership by earning his second Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star Medals and his third Purple Heart. He holds a Master of Arts degree in civil government awarded in 1970 by American University, and taught American Government, and comparative politics in the Social Sciences Department at West Point from 1972-75 when he attended the CGSC. He was executive officer and commander of the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry in the 3rd Division in USAREUR, 1977-81. Following the Army War College in 1982, he served in the 9th Division at Ft Lewis over a four year period as the G3, chief of staff, and 3rd Brigade commander from 1982 to 1986. Earning his first star, he served as assistant commandant at the Infantry School in 1986-87. Assigned to Europe, he served as deputy US representative to NATO in Belgium, 1988-89, where he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Following this tour, he was assigned to HQDA in DCSOPS in 1990. He took command of the 24th Infantry Division at Ft Stewart, GA in 1991, and commanded it during Desert Storm, executing a 400-kilometer left hook attack into Iraq. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit for his accomplishments. Promoted to lieutenant general, his next assignment was as assistant chairman in the JCS in 1992-93, then as director of strategic plans and policy, J5, in 1993. In these positions, he served as an assistant to the Chairman and supported him as JCS advisor to the Secretary of State and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions in these positions. Promoted to full general, he served as CINC, US SOUTHCOM in 1994-96, coordinating national security operations in Latin America. He was awarded his second Distinguished Service Medal upon his retirement in 1996. At the time of his retirement, he was the most highly decorated and youngest full general in the Army. In his exceptional military career, General McCaffrey served overseas for 13 years, which included four combat tours. Early recognition of his outstanding qualities enabled him to serve in many important and varied assignments , allowing him to make significant contributions to the US Army, and the Nation.
General McCaffrey’s contributions to West Point and the Nation did not end with his retirement. He was selected by President Clinton to the cabinet rank of Director, National Drug Control Policy, and was confirmed by unanimous vote of the US Senate in 1996. He served as a member of the President’s cabinet and National Security Council for drug related issues until 2001. As Director, he coordinated the $19.2 billion federal drug control budget, and developed the United States National Drug Control Strategy. He is the Olin-Bradley Distinguished Professor of International Security Studies at West Point. He is also president of his own consulting firm based in Alexandria. He has served as a national security and terrorism analyst for NBC News and BBC TV and writes a regularly scheduled commentary on National Security issues for the Armed Forces Journal International. General McCaffrey is a member of a number of boards, a member of the Council On Foreign Relations, an associate of the Inter-American Dialogue, a principal for the Council on Excellence in Government, a member of the CSIS United States-Mexico Bi-national Council and a member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Corporate Council. He has received honors from the Department of State, CIA, USCG, NAACP, to mention a few, and decorations from France, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela.
In recognition of his service in both peace and war, on active duty and in his subsequent career in retirement, while displaying outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service and stature which clearly symbolize the highest ideals of West Point, it is most fitting for the West Point Society of the District of Columbia to honor General Barry Richard McCaffrey, USA (Ret), USMA Class of 1964, with the 2004 Castle Memorial Award.
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