U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
SETAF-AFRICA

Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund presents first Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Awards

VICENZA, Italy - U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), recognized three staff members with the first ever Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award at Casema Ederle, June 21, 2024.

“When he [Wasmund] listed the key values, I signed off immediately,” said Davis. “I said that those are great values for everyone to develop: cohesion, esprit de corps and a desire to excel. I’d be happy to lend my name to the award.”
By Spc. Christopher Sanchez ,  U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Vicenza, Italy Jul 19, 2024
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 4 images
×
Photo 1 of 4

U.S. Army Southern European Task

Recipients of the Maj. Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award and their family members pose for a group photo at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, June 21, 2024. Named in honor of Davis, who served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Southern European Task Force (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, from May 2006-2008, during which time he helped stand up U.S. Army Africa, the award supports a culture of empowerment and trust by recognizing one Department of the Army civilian, one noncommissioned officer, and one officer who demonstrate outstanding leadership and professional excellence, and embody SETAF-AF’s shared values of character, excellence, trust, humility, and innovation. SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Download image
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo 
Photo 2 of 4

U.S. Army Southern European Task

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, command sergeant major of SETAF-AF, and Retired Maj.Gen. Gordon Davis Jr., present Mr. Richard Fidalgo, deputy G-6, the first ever Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award, at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, June 21, 2024. Named in honor of Davis, who served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Southern European Task Force (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, from May 2006-2008, during which time he helped stand up U.S. Army Africa, the award supports a culture of empowerment and trust by recognizing one Department of the Army civilian, one noncommissioned officer, and one officer who demonstrate outstanding leadership and professional excellence, and embody SETAF-AF’s shared values of character, excellence, trust, humility, and innovation. SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Download image
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo 
Photo 3 of 4

U.S. Army Southern European Task

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, command sergeant major of SETAF-AF, and Retired Maj. Gen. Gordon Davis Jr., present Chaplain Lt. Col. Charles Gilbertson, SETAF-AF, operations chaplain, the first Maj. Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award, at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, June 21, 2024. Named in honor of Davis, who served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Southern European Task Force (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, from May 2006-2008, during which time he helped stand up U.S. Army Africa, the award supports a culture of empowerment and trust by recognizing one Department of the Army civilian, one noncommissioned officer, and one officer who demonstrate outstanding leadership and professional excellence, and embody SETAF-AF’s shared values of character, excellence, trust, humility, and innovation. SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Download image
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo 
Photo 4 of 4

U.S. Army Southern European Task

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, command sergeant major of SETAF-AF, and Retired Major Gen. Gordon Davis Jr. present Master Sgt. Anthony Hurst, Headquarters Support Company supply noncommissioned officer in charge, the first Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award, at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, June 21, 2024. Named in honor of Davis, who served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Southern European Task Force (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, from May 2006-2008, during which time he helped stand up U.S. Army Africa, the award supports a culture of empowerment and trust by recognizing one Department of the Army civilian, one noncommissioned officer, and one officer who demonstrate outstanding leadership and professional excellence, and embody SETAF-AF’s shared values of character, excellence, trust, humility, and innovation. SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Download image
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo 

VICENZA, Italy—U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), recognized three staff members with the first ever Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award at Casema Ederle, June 21, 2024.

“I was in the airport when I got a call from Maj. Gen. Wasmund and he said to me, ‘Hey Skip, this may be an unusual proposal, but we would like to name a SETAF award after you…’ and then he went on to explain the award’s key values,” said retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Davis.

Davis served as the deputy commander and chief of staff at SETAF from May 2006 – 2008. During his time here, he helped establish U.S. Army Africa.

The award supports a culture of empowerment and trust by recognizing one Department of the Army civilian, one noncommissioned officer and one officer who demonstrate outstanding leadership and professional excellence and embody SETAF-AF’s shared values of character, excellence, trust, humility and innovation.

“When he [Wasmund] listed the key values, I signed off immediately,” said Davis. “I said that those are great values for everyone to develop: cohesion, esprit de corps and a desire to excel. I’d be happy to lend my name to the award.”

“It was an honor to be the first recipients of this award,” said the awardees.

Mr. Richard Fidalgo, deputy director of G-6, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Anthony Hurst, Headquarters Support Company supply noncommissioned officer in charge, and U.S. Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Charles Gilbertson, operations chaplain, were the first members to receive the Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award.

“To those who were chosen, I congratulate you,” said Davis. “But I also wish them to emulate the values that have been put forth in this award.”

The Major Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr. Lions Legacy Award is an annual award . Staff are nominated by fellow SETAF-AF teammates, subordinates, or supervisors through an anonymous portal.

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe.

We also recommend
U.S. Army Officer honored with prestigious Italian Bronze Cross of Merit of the Carabinieri
African Lion 2025 planning conference for Tunisia spoke concludes in Vicenza
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Vorobyeva-Santiago earns Expert Soldier Badge
US, Ghana Armed Forces host planning event for African Land Forces Summit in Accra
Strengthening spiritual ties: US, Malawi chaplains engage in collaborative training
StrongerTogether
civilian awards
lionslegacy
LionsLead
NCO Award
Skip Davis Awards
More in Operations
Collaborative group drives safety success at SETAF-AF
VICENZA, Italy – Safety goes beyond individual responsibility—it is about learning from shared experiences and working together to uphold best practices.
Read more
US ordnance team disarms more than just weapons with African partners
VICENZA, Italy – A soldier gently places his finger against a detonation switch. As quick as a lightning strike, a spark speeds down the firing wire. Less than a second later, an explosion ripples through the air, leaving behind only smoke and fragments where moments earlier lay the threat of an unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Read more
Army sustainers talk logistics and contracting in Africa at summit
Members of the 414th Contracting Support Brigade hosted a gathering of Army sustainment professionals April 11-18 in Padova, Italy, and Dakar, Senegal. The assembled participants discussed how to deliver troops and supplies to Africa in support of contingency operations.
Read more
More in Operations
Collaborative group drives safety success at SETAF-AF
VICENZA, Italy – Safety goes beyond individual responsibility—it is about learning from shared experiences and working together to uphold best practices.
Read more
US ordnance team disarms more than just weapons with African partners
VICENZA, Italy – A soldier gently places his finger against a detonation switch. As quick as a lightning strike, a spark speeds down the firing wire. Less than a second later, an explosion ripples through the air, leaving behind only smoke and fragments where moments earlier lay the threat of an unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Read more
Army sustainers talk logistics and contracting in Africa at summit
Members of the 414th Contracting Support Brigade hosted a gathering of Army sustainment professionals April 11-18 in Padova, Italy, and Dakar, Senegal. The assembled participants discussed how to deliver troops and supplies to Africa in support of contingency operations.
Read more
More in Operations
Collaborative group drives safety success at SETAF-AF
VICENZA, Italy – Safety goes beyond individual responsibility—it is about learning from shared experiences and working together to uphold best practices.
Read more
US ordnance team disarms more than just weapons with African partners
VICENZA, Italy – A soldier gently places his finger against a detonation switch. As quick as a lightning strike, a spark speeds down the firing wire. Less than a second later, an explosion ripples through the air, leaving behind only smoke and fragments where moments earlier lay the threat of an unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Read more
Army sustainers talk logistics and contracting in Africa at summit
Members of the 414th Contracting Support Brigade hosted a gathering of Army sustainment professionals April 11-18 in Padova, Italy, and Dakar, Senegal. The assembled participants discussed how to deliver troops and supplies to Africa in support of contingency operations.
Read more
×