Eighteen years after his deployment to Afghanistan, Maryland Governor Wes Moore was finally awarded the Bronze Star Medal in a private ceremony held at the Governor’s residence in Annapolis. The award culminates a lengthy process that began with a recommendation during Moore’s deployment and concluded with a personal notification from the Secretary of the Army, bridging a gap created by an administrative oversight. This recognition, however, was not without its preceding controversy, stemming from Moore’s inclusion of the anticipated award on a White House Fellowship application in 2006.
The controversy surrounding the Bronze Star originated from Moore’s listing of the award on his White House Fellowship application, before the official paperwork had been finalized. Then a 27-year-old Army officer, Moore had been encouraged by his superior, Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, to include the medal on his application. Fenzel, who had initiated the recommendation for the Bronze Star, assured Moore that the necessary approvals were in place and the award was imminent. This assurance led Moore to believe he could legitimately include the medal on his application, a decision that would later become a point of contention. While Moore was subsequently awarded the White House Fellowship, the Bronze Star paperwork remained incomplete, leaving the official recognition pending for nearly two decades.
The matter resurfaced in August 2024 when The New York Times reported on Moore’s inclusion of the Bronze Star on his fellowship application before its official conferral. This sparked public discussion and scrutiny of Moore’s actions. In response, Moore issued a statement acknowledging the sequence of events and reiterating Fenzel’s role in encouraging him to include the award on his application. He emphasized that the true reward of service lay not in accolades but in the opportunity to serve one’s country. He also highlighted his continued commitment to supporting fellow veterans, a mission he continues to champion as governor.
Upon realizing the administrative oversight, Lieutenant General Fenzel took immediate action to rectify the situation. He contacted the chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, expressing his intention to resubmit the recommendation for the Bronze Star. This initiated a process of recreating the necessary documentation and obtaining approvals from Moore’s former chain of command, ensuring the award was finally conferred appropriately. The culmination of this effort materialized in November 2024 with the official signing of the Bronze Star citation.
The culmination of Fenzel’s efforts came to fruition on December 14, 2024, during the Army-Navy football game. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth personally informed Governor Moore of the official awarding of the Bronze Star, a moment that marked the end of an almost two-decade-long wait. This notification paved the way for the private ceremony held at the Governor’s residence, where Fenzel himself presented the Bronze Star to Moore, pinning it on his chest. This act not only formally recognized Moore’s meritorious service in Afghanistan but also served as a tangible symbol of rectifying a past administrative oversight.
The Bronze Star award ceremony, a seemingly simple act, represents a multifaceted narrative. It highlights the intricacies of military bureaucracy, the importance of recognizing meritorious service, and the complexities that can arise from even well-intentioned actions. The event underscores the significance of leadership accountability, as exemplified by Fenzel’s dedication to correcting the oversight, and the enduring power of recognition, even decades after the service rendered. Furthermore, it offers a glimpse into the life and career of Governor Wes Moore, a testament to his military service and his continued commitment to public service. The ceremony, therefore, serves not merely as the conclusion of a long-awaited award but as a symbol of perseverance, rectitude, and the enduring value of service to one’s country.
