Cadet Military Awards

Every May the Saint Thomas Military Department, in conjunction with members of the Armed Services, present awards to the students, including the Commandant's Medal, Cadet of the Year, and ROTC Citizenship.

LTC (Ret) Rock Marcone was the keynote speaker at the 20 May ceremony.
Marcone began his career as an Infantry Officer at Fort Lewis, Washington. Following graduation from West Point in 1986, he was assigned to 2-1 Infantry in the 9th Infantry Division. There he served as a
Rifle Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader. In January 1991, following his branch transfer to Armor and attendance at the Armor Officers Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned as the Battalion S3 Air, 3-37 Armor, 2nd BDE 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then went on to serve in 3-37 Armor during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After his first tour in the BIG RED ONE, Rock served as a Tactical Officer at West Point from June of 1994 to the June of 1997.

Following attendance at the Command and General Staff College in June of 1988, Rock began his second tour with the BIG RED ONE in Germany. In 1999, he moved to Wurzburg and became the Division SGS and spent several months in Macedonia and Kosovo. In April of 2000, Rock became the Brigade S3 for 2nd Brigade, 1ID in Schweinfurt. Rock departed Germany in December of 2001 and reported to the Marne Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia. In June of 2002, Rock took command of Task Force 3-69 Armor and trained it for immediate deployment to the Middle East.

Following command of his battalion, Rock moved to the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin and served as the Senior Brigade Trainer responsible for preparing senior level Colonels for command in combat.

Some of Rock’s decorations include the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Following retirement from the US Army in July of 2006, Rock joined APi Group as the Vice President of Operations in Saint Paul and responsible for APi’s National Procurement Programs, Low Voltage Electrical Businesses, The APi National Service Group and the Training, Talent Development and Leadership Development Program.

2008-09 Military Awards [pdf]

Thank you to C. Larsen '10 for the photographs below.

Commandant's Legion of Valor Medal and Scholarship

SUBJECT: Commandant's Legion of Valor Medal and Scholarship Criteria

1. The STA Army JROTC Corps of Cadets Leadership Education Training Program represents a cooperative Army-Archdiocese of Saint Paul 113-year tradition of leadership development, citizenship and service to God, country, community and fellow man. America's Legion of Valor is comprised of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have earned one of our nation’s two highest awards for valor, the Medal of honor or the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross. Air Force Cross.

2. Today, former Army Captain, Distinguished Service Cross recipient, past Legion of Valor national Commander and STMA Class of 1941 alumnus James S. Garberg created the Commandant's Legion of Valor Award and Medal by gifting the Saint Thomas Academy Endowment Fund with $100,000. The annual earnings from this fund will be used to create a special medal for award to a selected Junior Honor Guard Cadet and a tuition grant to offset his senior year's tuition. The medal combines the Blue and White colors of STA with the unique logo of the Legion of Valor. The amount of the tuition offset will vary depending on interest earnings each year, gut once matured, should provide approximately $5000. per year.

3. Selection Process: The cadet recipient will be selected solely by the Commandant of Cadets from among the ranks of the junior class honor Guard members. The award will be announced and presented at the Spring Senior Review.

4. Criteria for Selection: Demonstrated leadership performance and potential, a respected record representing the goals and philosophy of Saint Thomas Academy in service with the Honor Guard, impeccable character, integrity and honor along with an expressed desire to continue service to America in the military. The Commandant will select a recipient and first runner-up based on his personal knowledge of eligible cadets. The selectee will receive the Commandant's Legion of Valor Medal, and enough money to pay a substantial amount of his senior year's tuition, up to the limits of the declared earnings balance after existing financial aid from other sources is determined and awarded. If there is a remaining earnings balance, it will be awarded to the runner-up. No cadet may receive an award over and above his tuition need. Incumbent in this concept is the opportunity for the award recipient to turn down the cash award, thereby affording the tuition offset to the runner-up.

5. The Commandant's Legion of Valor Award was established the 11th day of November in the year of our lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety seven.