COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – International gunmaker FN Manufacturing (FNM) was recognized Friday, Apr. 24, for its “service to country,” along with Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr. (Joint Services Detachment, S.C. Military Dept.) and Medal of Honor recipients Col. Charles P. Murray Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.) and MSgt. John F. Baker Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.).
In ceremonies at FNM’s facilities in Columbia, S.C., FNM was presented the Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston Award. Livingston – a retired U.S. Marine general residing in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. – is one of the state’s six living Medal of Honor recipients, including Murray and Baker. The Medal of Honor (known unofficially as the Congressional Medal of Honor) is the nation’s highest award for combat valor. There are 97 living recipients, nationwide.
FNM’s award citation reads: “for producing the world’s finest weapons for the world’s finest military forces, and for generously supporting the 2010 National Medal of Honor Convention.” MSgt. Baker presented the award on behalf of Gen. Livingston and the convention project.
FNM – which produces more than 70 percent of all infantry weapons used by U.S. armed forces worldwide – is the U.S. manufacturing arm of Belgium-based Fabrique Nationale Herstal, and currently produces the majority of M-16 rifles for the U.S. Defense Dept. and 100 percent of all M-249 and M-240 machineguns, among other weapons. A long-time supporter of U.S. military forces and veterans, FNM is a primary sponsor of the 2010 convention, which will be hosted by the S.C. State Guard Foundation (Maj. Gen. Nelson Lacy, pres.) and the Citadel (Lt. Gen. John Rosa, pres.), Sept. 29—Oct. 3, 2010 in Charleston, S.C.
Lt. Col. Smith – a columnist for CANADA FREE PRESS – received the award for “noble service to country in peace and war, superior leadership and tireless support [of the convention project].” Col. Murray presented the award to Smith on behalf of Gen. Livingston and the convention project. Smith – an internationally acclaimed military analyst, military technical consultant, author and columnist – is a former U.S. Marine rifle-squad leader and counterterrorism instructor.
John-Louis Vanderstraeten, pres. and CEO of FNM, presented gifts of appreciation to Murray and Baker for their continued service to country as Medal of Honor recipients.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Sam Waters – board chairman of Columbia law firm Rogers Townsend & Thomas – made opening and closing remarks. RTT received the Livingston award, Apr. 2.
Donations in support of the 2010 convention may be made to:
S.C. State Guard Foundation
Post Office Box 100200
Columbia, S.C. 29202
For more information, visit
medalofhonorconvention.com.
