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Maryland Governor Wes Moore was awarded a Bronze Star for his service during a deployment to Afghanistan 18 years ago.
The governor's office confirmed that a private ceremony to award the Bronze Star was held Friday at the governor's residence in Annapolis, Maryland.
Why It Matters
The recognition comes months after controversy surfaced over a 2006 White House fellowship application in which Moore reportedly claimed the honor before the official paperwork was finalized.
What To Know
Moore, a Democrat, was recommended for the Bronze Star by his superiors during his deployment, including Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel. Both Moore and Fenzel stated that Fenzel had encouraged Moore to list the medal on his application, as it had already received the necessary approvals.
At the time, then-27-year-old Wes Moore expressed concerns, but Fenzel assured him that the Bronze Star would be awarded before fellows were selected. However, the paperwork was never finalized. Shortly after completing his 11-month deployment, Moore was awarded the White House fellowship.
In August, The New York Times reported that Moore had listed the Bronze Star on his fellowship application before it was officially awarded.
Fenzel said that upon discovering the oversight, he immediately contacted the chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth to inform them of his intent to resubmit the recommendation. He began re-creating the necessary paperwork and securing approvals from Moore's former chain of command.
The Bronze Star citation was officially signed on November 19, but Governor Moore learned of the award on December 14 when Wormuth informed him personally during the Army-Navy football game, according to Moore's staff.
What People Are Saying
In an August statement Moore responded to the controversy surrounding the Bronze Star by saying: "While serving overseas with the Army, I was encouraged to fill out an application for the White House Fellowship by my deputy brigade commander. In fact, he helped me edit it before I sent it in. At the time, he had recommended me for the Bronze Star. He told me to include the Bronze Star award on my application after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation."
Moore added in the statement: "Towards the end of my deployment, I was disappointed to learn that I hadn't received the Bronze Star. But I was ready to begin the next phase of my life, because the reward for service is never an award—it's the opportunity to give back to your country. When I returned home, I was focused on helping my fellow veterans, a mission I continue to advance as governor,."
Fenzel presented the Bronze Star for "meritorious service" to Moore during the ceremony, pinning it on his chest, The Washington Post reported.
"I'm so happy to be in a position to right a wrong," Fenzel said during the ceremony, the Post reported.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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