US decorates Odillo with Legion of Merit
The US Army has awarded Malawi defence Force (MDF) Commander General Henry Odillo with the Legion of Merit (LoM) medal at a ceremony which took place at Kamuzu Barracks officers’ Mess in Lilongwe.
The award is in recognition of the role, Odillo played during the transition of power following the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika in April 2012.
The US Army approved that the medal be awarded to Odillo for the extraordinary actions.
Presenting the medal, Major General Patrick Dohanhue of the US Army Africa (USAraf) said the medal had been awarded with the approval of both the US government and the US Army.
“LoM is the highest award that can be awarded to a serving member and demonstrates the highest level of approval that General Odillo received for his daring deeds. The actions of MDF demonstrated that the Army can still be subordinate to civilian authorities even in the face of challenges, a thing that lacks in some militaries of the modern democracies,” said Dohanhue.
He further said the smooth transition placed the MDF as a beacon of hope to other countries and neighbours that would find themselves in a similar situation in future and a great example of what a truly professional Army should be like.
Odillo described the recognition as a great honour. “This is a great honour for me considering that the circumstances under which I am being recognised today should, under any ideal situation, be considered part of our professional duty,” said Odillo.
