Brig. Gen. William W. Spruance Legacy Award

The Brigadier General William W. Spruance Legacy Award recognizes individual contributions, service, and devotion to the NGEF mission — telling the Guard story.

Brigadier General William W. Spruance served on the Board of the National Guard Educational Foundation and was a dedicated supporter of NGEF. He enthusiastically donated time, energy, and funds to the telling of the Guard story. His devotion to NGEF inspired us to name the award in his honor.

The National Guard Educational Foundation, the NGAUS partner that raises awareness of the rich heritage of the Guard, also used the conference to present its highest honor, the Brigadier General William W. Spruance Legacy Award, which recognizes contributions, service, and devotion to the foundation.

Recipients of the Brig. Gen. William W. Spruance Legacy Award include the following: 

2016 – MG (Ret.) Gus L. Hargett, Jr.
2017 – Leonardo DRS
2018 – Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company
2019 – The Honorable Van Hipp
2020 – AM General
2021 – Northrop Grumman
2022 – Major General (Dr.) Jan Young (Ret.)
2023 – Rocky Brands

MAJ (ret.) Mark Dean received the 2023 Brig. Gen. William W. Spruance Legacy Award, on behalf of Rocky Brands.