Special Operations Forces Symposium and Exposition 2010

Congratulations to our SOFEX 09 Award Recipients

ASOP Man of the Year		COL Aaron Bank Award

GEN (R) H. Hugh Shelton General Shelton was awarded the ASOP Man of the Year 2009 for his selfless and outstanding service to the United States of America. For nearly four decades, General Shelton served tirelessly in a variety of command and staff positions in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Vietnam where he served two combat tours. Throughout his career, General Shelton has been internationally recognized and decorated for his exemplary leadership and service by various military and civilian organizations to include the highest award the United States Congress can bestow, the Congressional Gold Medal. He has been decorated by sixteen foreign governments to include being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. General Shelton continues his public service as the Executive Director of the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center at North Carolina State University and as the Director of the Hugh and Carolyn Shelton Military Neurotrauma Foundation.		SGM (R) Ernest K. Tabata SGM Tabata received the COL Aaron Bank Award 2009 for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of the objectives and philosophy of Special Operations Forces. During his thirty years of active duty service and four combat tours, SGM Tabata served as a combat engineer demolitions and mine warfare specialist. Among the first American Soldiers sent to Korea and Vietnam, Tabata participated in some of the most vicious fighting in the history of the U.S. Army. Throughout his career, SGM Tabata has been recognized for his outstanding service and courageous leadership by being awarded the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Joint Service, and Army Commendation Medals. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center & School (SWCS) Hall of Fame, the recipient of the 2004 USSOCOM Bull Simons Award, and the 2005 SWCS Instructor of the Year.