By Sgt. Sidnie Smith
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Lt. Col. Mark Fulmer, commander, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, places a bronze medallion on a Soldier June 3, 2020, during a knighting ceremony into the Order of Saint George at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by. Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — More than a dozen Soldiers with 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, were awarded membership into the Order of Saint George, June 3, 2020.
Lt. Col. Mark Fulmer, commander, 6th ARS, 17th Cav. Reg., 4th CAB, knighted each of the awardees into the Order of Saint George, and said the award represents the armor and cavalry tradition.
“All these personnel have embodied the cavalry and cavalry traditions in combat or back here in training in some sort of way,” Fulmer said.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Lt. Col. Mark Fulmer, commander, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, knights a Soldier into the Order of Saint George at Fort Carson, June 3, 2020. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
The tradition began in 303 A.D., when St. George defied the emperor and was imprisoned, tortured and finally executed. When the word of his sacrifice spread, St. George was named a saint that would symbolize bravery, dedication to faith and decency.
Over 1000 years after his execution, the citizens of a small Italian village claimed to have seen him appear suddenly out of the mist to slay a fierce dragon that had been tormenting them.
This is the imagery seen today on the coins and in other works of art.
The symbolism is important, depicting his righteous bravery, and the ultimate victory of good over evil. The name St. George, who is also known as the patron saint of mounted warriors, has also been linked to famous battles, military orders and cavalry forces around the world. In 1986, the U.S. Armor Association established the Honorable Order of Saint George to recognize the very best tankers and cavalrymen among its members.
“It feels great to be a part of the Order of Saint George and recognized as part of the cavalry family in an aviation unit,” said Capt. Cody Clark, a logistics office, 6th ARS, 17th Cav. Reg., 4th CAB.
The award is given to members of armor and cavalry units to recognize outstanding performance, and can be awarded either a black, bronze or silver level medallion based off certain criteria.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Lt. Col. Mark Fulmer, commander, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, knights Capt. Cody Clark into the Order of Saint George at Fort Carson, Colorado, June 3, 2020. (Photo by. Sgt. Sidnie Smith)