JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Stuart Warner, a Department of Army civilian and command lead for Culminating Exercise 2020 at U.S. Army South, recently accepted the Brazilian Army Medal during a ceremony in Bethesda, Maryland, acknowledging his many contributions to strengthen military relations with the Brazilian Army
Lt. Gen. Fábio Benvenutti Castro, acting on behalf of the Commander of the Brazilian Army, Gen. Edson Leal Pujol, presented the award to Warner during a Brazilian Army Day celebration event April 25.
“Receiving this award is a very special honor and a highlight of my 26-year career at U.S. Army South,” Warner said. “I’m extremely proud of the several opportunities I have had to work with professionals from the Brazilian Army since 2014, and with this award, I’m very grateful to be recognized by the Brazilian Army senior leadership for the second time in my career.”
As the command lead of Culminating Exercise 2020, Warner has played a key role over the past five years in preparing Brazilian Soldiers to embed with an 82nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team – which will culminate in a Combat Training Center exercise.
He continues to play a vital role in assisting both armies prepare for the Brazilian Army contingent to conduct rigorous training at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Brazil is proud to be the first country from Latin America to conduct this training.
This prominent award is given to military service members and civil servants who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions and commendable efforts in supporting the Brazilian Army.
The relationship between the U.S. and Brazilian armies goes back to World War II when Brazil sent an expeditionary force and a fighter squadron to fight alongside the Americans on the Italian front. Last month, U.S. Army South completed its 35th executive level staff talks with Brazil on behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.