by Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich

HHB, 35th ADA Brigade

            Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea—Air defenders from across the Korean peninsula celebrated together at the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s annual St. Barbara’s Day Ball at the officer’s club here March 15.

            Unlike other balls, the St. Barbara’s Day event included Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, 8th Army commander, as the guest speaker, a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Tribute, music by the 8th Army jazz band, a grog ceremony and an awards ceremony.

            Distinguished military guests of Col. James H. Dickinson, 35th ADA Brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. James T. Carr, 35th ADA Brigade command sergeant major, were Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Winzenried, 8th Army command sergeant major; Maj. Gen. Michael Kuehr, 8th Army deputy commander; Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, 7th Air Force commander; Brigadier Gen. Harold W. Moulton;  7th Air Force vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Ray Allen, outgoing 7th Air Force chief master sergeant; Chief Master Sgt. Harry B. Viel, incoming 7th Air Force chief master sergeant; Col. Jon A. Norman, 51st Fighter Wing commander; and Chief Master Sgt. Darrin Dwyer, command chief master sergeant of 51st Fighter Wing.

            Korean military guests included Maj. Gen. Young Ho Kwon, the Republic of Korea’s ADA commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Chun Gi Min, the Republic of Korea ADA command sergeant major.

            Former Ambassador Young Chul Park also attended the ball alongside Mr. Sang Bok Soh of the Korean American Friendship Society of Gwanju.

Maj. Michael J. Sowa, the 35th ADA Brigade’s intelligence officer, beams as he is awarded the Order of the St. Barbara by Col. James H. Dickinson, 35th ADA Brigade commander. (Photo by Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich)

            Membership in the Order of the St. Barbara is awarded to outstanding air defenders who have greatly contributed to the ADA branch. Inductees from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery included Maj. Sarah Small, Maj. Michael Sowa, Maj. James Tolbert, Cpt. Richard Gorini, Master Sgt. Michael Forrest, Master Sgt. Rodney Matthews, Staff Sgt. Heath Dickson, Staff Sgt. Steven Schmude, Staff Sgt. Jimmy Dixon, and Staff Sgt. Jimmy Aldridge  Inductees from the 1st Battalion, 7th ADA, included Captains Julianna Eum, Jeffrey Clark, Christopher Efaw, and Gustavo Diaz, Chief’s Issac D. Smith and Robert Lopez, Sgt. First Class Michael Stewart, Staff Sgt Ira B. Dove and Staff Sgt. Jesus M. Gonzales.  Inductees from 1st Battalion, 44th ADA  included Cpt. Robert Ferryman, Cpt. Idamaria Hillkjonaas, Cpt. Gary Beckett, Cpt. Lourdes Smith. Chiefs Gregory Chacon and Celio Quinones, Sgt. First Class Ryan Vanschoonhooven, Daniel Hillburn, David Bass and Kevin Irwin, Staff Sgt. Christopher Vine and George Babers.

            The Molly Pitcher Award, which is given to ladies who actively support the soldiers in the unit, was presented to Hyon Ok Williams, Yvette Whitehead, Gwendolyn Stryker, Ashley Harris and Melissa Houck.  Distinguished guest Donna Winzenreid, wife of the 8th Army command sergeant major, was also awarded the honor. 

            Following awardees and a coin ceremony, guests enjoyed speeches, contests and dancing.