The De Fleury Medal, an award of the US Army Engineer Association, was named in honor of François de Fleury

Francois de Fleury

- Early life :In 1777, a French Engineer volunteered to serve with the American Army in its fight for independence from Britain. Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury was born in St. Hippolyte, France in 1749; was trained as an engineer; and served in the French Army during the Corsican campaign.The...

, a French Engineer in the Continental Army.

As the Corps of Engineers implemented the US Army Regimental system, the senior Engineer leadership sought a method for the Corps of Engineers

United States Army Corps of Engineers

The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...

 to honor those individuals who have provided significant contributions to Army Engineering.

The Army Regimental System was developed to emphasize the history, customs, and traditions of the Corps; so MG Daniel R. Schroeder, then Commanding General of Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood (military base)

Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...

 and US Army Engineer School Commandant, wanted an award that would tie in with the beginnings of the nation and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Engineer Regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal as an award because of the values demonstrated by the man for whom it was struck – values of special meaning to Engineer Soldiers. It is understood that the de Fleury Medal was the first Congressional Medal struck, if not the first medal authorized.

Medal description

On the obverse of the medal is the Latin inscription meaning: "A MEMORIAL AND REWARD FOR COURAGE AND BOLDNESS". In the center appears the image of a helmeted soldier standing amidst the ruins of a fort, holding in his right hand an unsheathed sword, and in his left the staff of the enemy's flag, which he tramples underfoot.

On the reverse, again in Latin: "FORTIFICATIONS, MARSHES, ENEMIES OVERCOME". In the center the fortress at Stony Point is depicted with both turrets and a flag flying. At the base of the hill are two shore batteries, one of which is firing at one of six vessels on the Hudson River. Beneath the fort is the legend: "STONY POINT CARRIED BY STORM, JULY 15, 1779".

Levels of de Fleury Medals

The Engineer Regiment makes three award levels of the de Fleury Medal. The BRONZE Medal may be presented to an individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment. The SILVER Medal may only be awarded to an individual who has rendered outstanding and significant support or service to the Engineer Regiment.

The United States Army Chief of Engineers awards only one GOLD Medal each year to an individual who exemplifies boldness, courage, and commitment to a strong national defense.

Presentation of the de Fleury Medal, to those individuals meeting established criteria, was started by the Engineer Regiment as the move of the Engineer School from Fort Belvoir, Virginia to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri was completed in 1989. The GOLD Medal presentation is the highlight of the annual Engineer Regimental Dinner held at Fort Leonard Wood each spring.

Gold Medal recipients

1989 – The Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr. Secretary of the Army

1990 – The Honorable Robert W. Page

Robert W. Page

Robert W. Page, Sr. is an American businessman who served as United States Assistant Secretary of the Army from 1987 to 1990.-Biography:...

 Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

1991 – GEN Maxwell R. Thurman

Maxwell R. Thurman

Maxwell Reid Thurman was a U.S. Army general, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and former commander of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command....

, USA Retired

1992 – GEN Andrew J. Goodpaster, USA Retired

1993 – LTG Emerson C. Itschner

Emerson C. Itschner

Emerson Charles Itschner graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1924 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. He obtained a degree in civil engineering from Cornell University in 1926. Itschner served with the Alaska Road Commission in 1927–1929...

, USA Retired

1994 – Mr. John B. Mahaffey Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army

1995 – LTG Frederick J. Clarke

Frederick J. Clarke

Frederick James Clarke was a civil and military engineer with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Clarke was one of three commissioners appointed to run the District of Columbia from 1960 to 1963, and later rose to the rank of Chief of Engineers in the Corps of Engineers.Clark was born in...

, USA Retired

1996 – SMA Leon L. Van Autreve

Leon L. Van Autreve

Leon L. Van Autreve was the fourth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 1, 1973 and served until June, 1975. He was born in Eeklo, Belgium, on January 29, 1920 and died March 14, 2002, in San Antonio, Texas.-Military career:...

, USA Retired

1997 – LTG John W. Morris

John W. Morris

John W. Morris graduated from the United States Military Academy in June 1943 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. During World War II he commanded an airfield construction company in the Western Pacific...

, USA Retired

1998 – Mr. Allen M. Carton

1999 – The Honorable Ike Skelton

Ike Skelton

Isaac Newton "Ike" Skelton IV is the former U.S. Representative for . During his tenure, he has served as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a member for the Democratic Party...

 Congressman, State of Missouri

2000 – LTG Julius W. Becton, Jr., USA Retired and CSM Robert W. Elkey, (Posthumous)

2001 – LTG Max W. Noah, USA Retired and COL Claude L. Roberts, Jr., (Posthumous)

2002 – MG Richard S. Kem, USA Retired

2003 – Honorable Daniel K. Inouye Senator, State of Hawaii

2004 – COL Edward C. Gibson, USA Retired

2005 – LTG Daniel R. Schroeder, USA Retired

2006– MG John G. Waggener, USA Retired and SFC Paul Ray Smith

Paul Ray Smith

Paul Ray Smith was a United States Army Sergeant First Class who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom...

 (Posthumous)

2007– LTG Elvin R. “Vald” Heiberg III, USA Retired

2008– LTG Robert B. Flowers

Robert B. Flowers

Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers was born in Pennsylvania and resided in several areas of the world as his family moved during his father's military career. Following graduation and commissioning from the Virginia Military Institute in 1969, he completed Airborne and Ranger training and began...

, USA Retired

2009-LTG Henry J. Hatch

Henry J. Hatch

Lieutenant General Henry J. Hatch served as Chief of Engineers for the United States Army from June 17, 1988-June 4, 1992.The son of an artillery officer, Henry J. Hatch was born on August 31, 1935, in Pensacola, Florida...

 and Mr. Kisuk (Charlie) Cheung (Posthumous)