MOS 91W, Metal Worker Awards

FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS METAL WORKER DURING THE DEPLOYMENT TO PELELIU ISLAND, MICRONESIA. DURING THIS PERIOD, SERGEANT BILODEAU'S INITIATIVE AND WELDING SKILLS WERE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE 60 PERCENT INCREASE IN MAINTENANCE READINESS WHICH ENSURED THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT PLATOON WAS ABLE TO SUSTAIN HIGH TEMPO OPERATIONS AND COMPLETE THE COMPANY'S PRIMARY MISSION OF IMPROVING THE AIRFIELD ON THE ISLAND OF PELELIU. WELDING FOR 180 HOURS OVER THE SPAN OF FIVE MONTHS, SERGEANT BILODEAU REPAIRED SEVEN ENGINEER EQUIPMENT ASSETS WHICH IS DIRECT EVIDENCE OF HIS TENACIOUS WORK ETHIC AND SELFLESS CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEAM. IN ADDITION, HIS TEAM CLEARED OVER 40 SQUARE ACRES OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE, INCREASING THE ENGINEERS' ABILITY TO OPERATE BY FIFTY PERCENT. FINALLY, HIS WORK ENHANCED THE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY OF U.S. MILITARY FORCES TO MANEUVER FREELY IN THE REGION AND POSTURE FORCES IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE CONFLICTS. SERGEANT BILODEAU'S SUPERB PERFORMANCE OF DUTY REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 7th ENGINEER SUPPORT BATTALION AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.