CARROLL VAN DEACON Jr. was the recipient of the DAR’s Distinguished Citizen Medal. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Patricia Rife- Beavers, DAR Service for Veterans chair; Sarah Dorset, historian; Mary Charles Blair, registrar; Judie Brock, librarian; Leigh Ann Boyd, regent; Van Deacon; Joanne Swafford, first vice regent; Virginia Orr, chaplain; and Betsy Bassette, second vice regent. DAR presents Van Deacon with Distinguished Citizen Medal Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, presented the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal to Carrell Van Deacon Jr. for his military service during the Vietnam era and for his community service. Deacon’s journey with the military began in the Boy Scout Program. This experience served as a stepping stone to becoming a solider when he entered the University of Tennessee and joined the ROTC Program. He then participated in the Counter Gorilla program at UT and at Auburn University. At Auburn, he was designated a distinguished military graduate and entered active duty as a 2nd lieutenant in June 1968. His initial assignment after Armor Officer Basic was as a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, D Troup, 10th Cavalry at Fort Knox Kentucky. The day he graduated, the commanding general of 194 Armored Brigade asked him to undertake a special assignment for the organization and training of an armored reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle Platoon to establish the Tactical Employment Doctrine and Gunnery Tables for the M551 General Sheridan. Over the next seven months, he worked 24/7 to complete his assignment, receiving the Army Commendation Metal from General Southerland. His activities directly led to the development and employment of the M551 as a Reconnaissance Vehicle.