Seven Guard Officers Earn MacArthur Leadership Award
Seven National Guard company-grade officers were honored with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award at a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Awards
Seven Army National Guard officers received the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award at an Oct. 27 ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. The award recognizes company-grade officers who demonstrate the ideals of duty, honor and country.
Why it matters
The honor spotlights junior leaders from states across the country and recognizes performance in leadership, influence, values and team building. It also highlights the Guard's emphasis on developing company-level officers who lead units day to day.
Seven officers from the Ohio, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, Nebraska, Georgia and Illinois National Guards received the award, which recognizes company-grade leadership. Capt. Paul J. Hew's Georgia unit achieved 100% of its retention goals in fiscal year 2024, while the total nomination pool is not reported.
The players
General Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur was a celebrated U.S. Army general whose leadership legacy is honored through this award for junior officers.
Capt. Paul J. Hew
Capt. Paul J. Hew is a Georgia National Guard logistics officer who commands the 1160th Transportation Company.
The details
Capt. Paul J. Hew, a logistics officer and commander of the 1160th Transportation Company, was formally nominated by Maj. Gen. Richard D. Wilson after demonstrating exceptional performance across several leadership areas. The award honors officers who meet the MacArthur standard of duty, honor and country.
Timeline
Fiscal year 2024: the 1160th Transportation Company achieved 100% of its retention goals.
2020: Hew led a team supporting the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Oct. 27, 2025: Seven officers received the MacArthur Leadership Award in Arlington, Virginia.
Culture Shift
The MacArthur Leadership Award continues a tradition of honoring company-grade officers, extending a recognition model established under General Douglas MacArthur's name. This year's seven recipients follow earlier honorees, reflecting a sustained institutional focus on developing junior leaders in the National Guard.
Readers interested in military leadership can see how company-level officers are evaluated and honored for duty and team building. The recognition signals the value the Guard places on everyday leadership in its units.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like the MacArthur award highlight that effective leadership often shows up at the company level, where officers guide teams day to day. Notably, the award reflects standards of duty, honor and country that apply beyond the military.
Further reading
Explore more Awards coverage for context on how military and civic honors are recognized across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Army.
