On Wednesday, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. participated in ceremonies to formally promote Elton Lewis to the rank of Brigadier General of the Virgin Islands National Guard. In December, Colonel Lewis received a Federal Recognition Special Order from the National Guard Bureau assigning him his new rank, one that will position him to continue an already distinguished career of military service in the territory.
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| VI Adjutant General Renaldo Rivera, VING Brigadier General Elton Lewis and VING Commander in Chief, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. at promotional ceremonies on St. Croix, January 27, 2011. |
De Jongh said the Virgin Islands National Guard recently underwent a period of great transition, and through that period its soldiers, and the people of the Virgin Islands, were well served by the leadership Colonel Lewis provided. “In that time of change, my confidence in Lewis' leadership was unfaltering, and I am pleased to see that service recognized with this well-deserved single star pinned to his uniform. With this advanced rank, Elton Lewis will continue to uphold the safety and well-being of this territory, as he has for several decades in so many roles,” the governor said.
Since May of 2005, Colonel Lewis has served as Assistant Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard. From August 2007, as a Federal Technician employee, he also worked as Director of the Joint Forces Headquarters. These are the latest in numerous ranks, positions and assignments held by Elton Lewis since he joined the National Guard in 1976 as an enlisted soldier in the 661st Military Police Company, and then was commissioned as an MP in 1985.
“Over those three decades, Elton Lewis has been honored with a plethora of awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He has advanced his abilities by attending the U.S. Army War College as a Senior Fellow with the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and many other military education and training programs. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University, and a graduate Certificate in Leadership from Central Michigan University,” de Jongh noted.
“As Commander-In-Chief of our territory's National Guard, I am proud to see the continued exemplary performance of that organization and all its soldiers and airmen, who are the pride of the Virgin Islands. You all have the gratitude of the people of this territory, and people well beyond our shores in the many war zones in which Virgin Islands Guardsmen have been deployed in recent years, and where they have sacrificed for their country. So let me end by again thanking and commending Elton Lewis, who has dedicated his professional life to the safety, security, and preservation of the Virgin Islands people. He served us as Police Chief and Police Commissioner in recent years, and at this time he is also my designee for the position of VITEMA Director.
The new rank of Brigadier General just adds to his many responsibilities, and the many ways in which we as a people depend on his service to protect us from threats known and unknown. Let me also take a moment to thank Major General Renaldo Rivera, and all the brave and dedicated guardsmen and military personnel of the Virgin Islands,” de Jongh said in remarks at the pinning ceremony held at Government House on St. Croix.
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