Ambassador Obsitnik Awards Slovak Soldier the Legion of Merit

June 25, 2008

At a ceremony held in the U.S. Embassy on June 25 Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik awarded Colonel Miroslav Giertli, Slovak Air Force, the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious service as the Slovak Republic Defense and Air Attaché from June 2005 to September 2007. Ambassador Obsitnik told the observers from the Ministry of Defense, the U.S. Embassy and the Slovak press that, “The Legion of Merit, first awarded in 1942, is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.” He went on to say, “Colonel Giertli is certainly deserving of this award. As the Slovak Defense and Air attaché to the United States from June 2005 to September 2007, Colonel Giertli excelled as the key military liaison between our two countries, especially in regards to our superb cooperation in the Global War on Terror.”