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Info found in the thread at http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6809.html


Dan
05-10-2005, 06:53
What is being referred to is the "St. Philip of Neri Award".

MG Lambert took command of USASFC(A) in Sept 01 and was receiving his Operations in-brief on 9/11...the briefing was interupted twice and the second time the briefing was halted. That day not only marked one of the largest historical events in American history, but it also changed the history of Special Forces. Back to the story...MG Lambert has asked his staff to come up with a Special Forces Award, kind of like the St. Michael - Patron Saint of the Airborne. The St. Philip of Neri Award is an award given to Special Forces (current and prior) for a lifetime of service to the U.S. Army Special Forces.

MG Lambert gave his new staff some guidance and they were off and running. Once MG Lambert had the program up and running he turned it over to the SFA. Col Bank, LTG Yarborough, and MG Schacknow were the first three recipients. I know who the 4th and 5th awardees are, but beyond that I'm not sure the order...the SFA tracks the awarded individuals privately. You can see references to the award online here:
- Referenced in COL Bank's news post (http://www.soc.mil/News/releases/04APR/040402-01.htm)
- 16 Photos of one of our 5th SFG(A) soldiers beign awarded (http://www.sfa38.org/photos/St_Philip_Neri_Award/index.php?rep=./)
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Dan
05-16-2005, 09:07
All, Here's the official history of the St. Philip of Neri Award courtesy of the Special Forces Association (http://www.sfahq.org/). Thanks SFA!

The St. Philip Neri Award Program was established by the United States Army Special Forces Command in 2002. St. Philip Neri was selected as the Patron Saint of Special Forces because lie embodied the traits of the ideal Special Forces Soldier, Selfless, Superb Teacher, and Inspirational Leader. The Medal was first awarded at the SFA 50th Anniversary Banquet with three Gold Medal Awards. Since then, One Gold Medal, One Silver Medal and Eight Bronze Medals were awarded by the Special Forces Command. On 26 May 2003, General Lambert, CG USASFC, officially turned over the program to the SFA for their administration and implementation.

CRITERIA:
For The Order of Saint Philip Neri Gold Medal - this medal is the most distinguished of the three levels of the Military Society of Saint Neri. It recognizes the select few who stand above their brethren of the Silver or Bronze Order. The specific criterion for accession into the Gold Order is to have performed conspicuous, twenty years or more long-term service for or on behalf of the United Slates Army Special Forces or the Special Forces Association. The Gold Order is reserved for an elite few whose careers have embodied the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by Saint Philip Neri. Only one nominee will be awarded the Gold Order per calendar year. The Saint Philip Neri Selection Committee may approve, disapprove or downgrade the nomination to the Silver Order as they deem appropriate. This award may only be presented lo veterans of Special Forces who have been awarded the Green Beret or Special Forces Tab.

For the Order of Saint Philip Neri Silver Order - This Medal recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character; displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence; served in the United States Army Special Forces or the Special Forces Association for a period of 15 years or more with selflessness; and contributed to the promotion of Special Forces or the Association in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers alike. Only two nominees will be awarded the Silver Order per calendar year. The Selection Committee may approve or disapprove the nominations as they deem appropriate. This Award may only be presented to veterans of Special Forces who have been awarded the Green Beret or Special Forces Tab.

For the Order of Saint Philip Neri Bronze Order - The Bronze Order Medal is reserved for Active Duty and National Guard Special Forces soldiers only who have contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the United States Army Special Forces. Nominations may be submitted to the Selection Committee by any Special Forces Unit Commander. Only five nominees will be awarded this medal per calendar year. The Selection Committee may approve or disapprove the nominations as they deem appropriate.

This gracious, cheerful saint was Rome's apostle of the sixteenth century (1515-1595). A peculiar charism was his burning love of God, a love that imperceptibly communicated itself to all about him. So ardently did this fire of divine love affect him during the octave of Pentecost in his twenty-ninth year that the beating of his heart broke two ribs. It was a wound that never healed.
For fifty years the saint lived on in the intensity of that love which was more at home in heaven than on earth. Through those fifty years his was an apostolate to renew the religious and ecclesiastical spirit of the Eternal City, a task he brought to a happy conclusion. It is to his credit that the practice of frequent Holy Communion, long neglected in Rome and throughout the Catholic world, was again revived. He became one of Rome's patron saints, even one of the most popular.
Philip Neri loved the young, and they responded by crowding about him. As a confessor he was in great demand; among his penitents was St. Ignatius. To perpetuate his life's work, St. Philip founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a society of secular clergy without religious vows. The purpose of his foundation was to enkindle piety among the faithful by means of social gatherings which afforded not only entertainment but religious instruction as well. Joy and gaiety were so much a part of his normal disposition that Goethe, who esteemed him highly, called him the "humorous saint." It was his happy, blithe spirit that opened for him the hearts of children. "Philip Neri, learned and wise, by sharing the pranks of children himself became a child again" (epitaph).
As a youth Philip Neri often visited the seven principal churches of Rome. He spent entire nights at the catacombs, near the tombs of the martyrs, meditating on heavenly things. The liturgy was the wellspring of his apostolic spirit; it should likewise motivate us to Catholic Action.
— Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-05-26