NDIA Presents The Red Ball Express Award To Douglas R. Bush and Jesse D. Tolleson
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) April 22, 2014 -- NDIA has announced that it presented its prestigious Red Ball Express Award on April 21, 2014 at the Rayburn House Office Building to Douglas R. Bush and Jesse D. Tolleson of the Congressional House Armed Services Oversight Team in recognition of their consistently demonstrated unmatched cooperation, expertise, and commitment to the strategic viability of the Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (TWV) industrial base.
The Red Ball Express is awarded for outstanding contribution to the TWV community. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions that have led to the strengthening of our national security by developing, procuring, or supporting Tactical Wheeled Vehicles or critical technologies that contribute to Tactical Wheeled Vehicles.
The “Red Ball Express” award is proudly named after the famous transportation system from World War II. The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created in 1944 to supply Allied forces moving quickly through Europe after breaking out from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. Some 28 divisions were advancing across France and Belgium, each ordinarily requiring 700-750 tons of supplies per day. Patton's 3rd Army was soon grinding to a halt from lack of fuel and ordnance. The route, marked with red balls, was closed to civilian traffic; the trucks were marked with the same red balls and given priority on regular roads. The key to pursuit was a continuous supply of fuel and ordnance, thus leading to the name Red Ball Express.
Awarding the citation and gold medal to Bush and Tolleson were Larry Farrell, President/CEO of NDIA, and Ron Johnson, NDIA Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Division Chair.
About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America’s leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through our divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.
Angie De Kleine, CAE, CMM, CMP, CEM, NDIA, +1 (703) 247-2599, [email protected]
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