St. Philip of Neri Award

[NousDefionsDoc]

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp11.htm

[Bill Harsey]

You guys get everything don't ya?

[NousDefionsDoc]

St Michael is Archangel is, I believe, the patron saint of swordsmiths and paratroopers.

[CoLawman]

Excellent, I ordered a St. Michael's medal for my son. As he is the patron saint of Paratroopers and POLICE OFFICERS. So got a double whammy. I was unaware of a patron saint for Special Forces. Thank you so much for your post.

[Bill Harsey]

I think knifemakers look towards the patron saints of beers (beermaking).

Historically, there are way more than one Saint for this work, as it was an important activity.

Still is.

[Dan]

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=./)

[NousDefionsDoc]

Excellent gouge Dan. Thanks.

[CoLawman]

Just curious............is the medal allowed as part of the uniform? Or is there a ribbon associated with it that is allowed to be worn.

One other question. Is there an SF Association that sells the St. Philip medal,(patron St. medal) rather than purchasing through Catholic Services?

[Dan]

Just curious............is the medal allowed as part of the uniform? Or is there a ribbon associated with it that is allowed to be worn.

One other question. Is there an SF Association that sells the St. Philip medal,(patron St. medal) rather than purchasing through Catholic Services?

No, No and No are the answers to your questions.

This is not a medal that everyone in Special Forces gets. It is only awarded to worthy individuals authorized by the SFA HQ...i.e. if someone is selected to be awarded for actions above and beyond other SF. I doubt there have been more than 20-30 of these given out to date. It is not to be worn as part of a uniform and can't be purchased anywhere...no Clothing Sales junkies allowed.

[CoLawman]

Thanks Dan for the reply. However, I was wondering about the medal to be worn as a necklace adornment, much the same the St. Michael and St. Peter are commonly worn after being blessed by a Priest. Was not wondering about the medal awarded when one is honored by SF. Prior to this Post I was not familiar with a Patron Saint for Special Forces, and assumed St. Michael was the medal worn by Catholic SF soldiers.

Respectfully

[Dan]

Thanks Dan for the reply. However, I was wondering about the medal to be worn as a necklace adornment, much the same the St. Michael and St. Peter are commonly worn after being blessed by a Priest. Was not wondering about the medal awarded when one is honored by SF. Prior to this Post I was not familiar with a Patron Saint for Special Forces, and assumed St. Michael was the medal worn by Catholic SF soldiers.

Respectfully

CoLawman, Thanks for the clarification...I'm not sure, but I'm currently attempting to get an answer for you or get someone in here that can help officially answer your questions, Dan

[CoLawman]

Thanks, I spent some time googling and checking Catholic sites and could not find a St. Philip medal. I am assuming that since SF is elite (thus small in the retail world) no one has decided to market it. I could not find the actual date Patronage was assigned to the United States Special Forces. But the Catholic Registry certainly spells out US Special Forces and his being the Patron Saint.

Just doing that fatherly thing, that let's me sleep better at night. I got my son the St. Michael which covers the bases for now. But if he is successful in his endeavour.........I would like to furnish him with the appropriate Patron Saint. The one place I did not check was the museum in Fayetteville! I purchased his St. Michael there. I will check their website on line store. Or get with them and see if their supplier does, could, or would.

Again thanks for your response. And your offered assistance.

[Go For Broke]

Thanks, I spent some time googling and checking Catholic sites and could not find a St. Philip medal. I am assuming that since SF is elite (thus small in the retail world) no one has decided to market it.
Just doing that fatherly thing, that let's me sleep better at night. I got my son the St. Michael which covers the bases for now. But if he is successful in his endeavour.........I would like to furnish him with the appropriate Patron Saint.

Here are a couple of links that you might want to try:
http://www.rangerjoes.com/product_info.php?products_id=2273 - Actually says "St. Phillips Patron of Special Forces Protect Us" See attached pic

http://shop.jfkgiftshop.org/indexpage.htm - Call them, they usually have in stock (similar to the one above, but without chain attachment ring)

http://bellsouthpwp.net/P/h/PhillipsMilitary/
http://bellsouthpwp.net/P/h/PhillipsMilitary/Phillips.jpg

Patron Saint: Philip Romolo Neri (26 May) - Special Forces (United States)

Best of luck to your son and sleep well sir.
V/R,

[CoLawman]

Thanks so much for the links. And thank you for your service to this great nation.

[Firebeef]

:lifter Thanks so much for the links. And thank you for your service to this great nation.

[CoLawman]

Ha Ha Ha! I told Razor you were coming!

[Dan]

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.