For the Latest News

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District News

Kansas Area Manager receives de Fleury Medal

Published Jan. 29, 2015
Eugene Goff, the Kansas Area Manager for the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receives the coveted de Fleury Medal from Col. Richard A. Pratt, commander, Tulsa District.

Eugene Goff, the Kansas Area Manager for the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receives the coveted de Fleury Medal from Col. Richard A. Pratt, commander, Tulsa District.

TULSA – The commander of the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognized the District’s Kansas Area Lake Manager for significant contributions to Army engineering recently.

Col. Richard A. Pratt, Tulsa District Commander, presented the de Fleury Medal to Eugene Goff, who is responsible for all Tulsa District Corps of Engineers lakes in the Sunflower State.

Among Goff’s accomplishments are the development of aggressive highly successful operations and maintenance program. During his tenure he has also addressed difficult dam safety issues and overseen park and recreation area modernization.

According to Pratt, Goff’s efforts have significantly improved project operation missions and exceeded Lake Visitor expectations.

“Mr. Goff has a reputation for providing exceptional service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Pratt. “His immeasurable dedication to the engineer mission represents all of the principles for which the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal is awarded.”

The de Fleury Medal represents the highest award for service to the Engineer Regiment. Goff said is was a very humbling experience to receive the award.

“When my name was called to come up and receive the de Fleury it was a significant and positive surprise,” said Goff. “I appreciate the daily opportunity to be a part of an organization that encourages its workforce to address multiple challenges, work through them and accomplish the missions set before us.” 
 
The de Fleury Medal is presented to individuals who render significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment and is named for Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury, of St. Hippolyte, France.

Trained as an engineer in the French Army, and a veteran of the Corsican Campaign, in 1777 de Fleury volunteered to serve with the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The Continental Congress appointed de Fleury a captain of engineers, and at the battles of Fort Mifflin and Brandywine, he distinguished himself, quickly earning promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 1779 the British conquered two small forts on each bank of the Hudson River and began building a defensive fortification at a peninsula named Stony Point. Stony Point stretched a half-mile into the Hudson River and gave the British control of a strategic position on the waterway. British occupation of the peninsula forced the Continental Army to reroute its communication and supply lines and provided a base of operations from which the British could launch an attack on West Point, less than 15 miles upriver.

On July 15, 1779, the Continental Army attempted a surprise attack on a British Defensive positions at Stony Point, New York. The mission was launched under cover of darkness and soldiers turned in their ammunition to minimize noise that might alert the British to the surprise attack. De Fleury led a bayonet charge up a steep slope to the enemy’s defensive position, jumped the wall and ran to the flag pole where he quickly cut down the Union Jack, wresting control of the vital strategic position from the Royal Army.

For his actions, the Continental Congress praised his valor and ordered a medal be struck in his honor. The de Fleury Medal was the first Congressional Medal struck.

The Engineer Regiment presents four levels of de Fleury Medals. The highest level, gold de Fleury Medal, is presented to an individual whose contributions to the Army Engineer Regiment exemplify boldness, courage and commitment to a strong national defense.

The silver de Fleury Medal is presented to an individual who has rendered outstanding and significant support or service to the Engineer Regiment.

The bronze de Fleury Medal is presented to an individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment.

The steel de Fleury is presented to an individual whose selfless service assures mobility, enhances protection, enables expeditionary logistics, and builds capacity to support the success of missions and operations in an era of persistent conflict.