The new Lt. Gen. Andrew T. McNamara Icon Award has been created to annually recognize one current or former Defense Logistics Agency employee, civilian or military, whose leadership or achievements had a measurable and enduring effect on the agency’s operations, customer support or culture.
The award is named after the first director of the Defense Supply Agency, the forerunner to DLA. An Army quartermaster general and decorated World War II logistician, McNamara assumed command in 1961 with the task of centralizing supply management for the Department of Defense.
Merging decades of logistics practices for each of the services was a daunting mission that McNamara completed with a staff of only 100 planners and plenty of determination. By his retirement in 1964, the agency managed 1.3 million items, had an inventory valued at $2.2 billion and provided $3 billion in goods annually.
“This eponymous award honors both his legacy as well as those who have followed in his footsteps and continued to shape DLA into the great institute it has become,” current DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams said in a memorandum to senior leaders.
Human resource officials are working with the Army’s Institute of Heraldry to develop a medallion or similar item for presentation to award recipients. The initial call for nominations will take place next spring, with the inaugural presentation occurring at the 2019 Annual DLA Ball.
For more information, contact the DLA Human Resources Awards Program at J1AwardsSubmissions@dla.mil.