In February, Sandia engineer and U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Dave Clovis was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for distinguishing himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement as an engineer for a Joint Task Force operation, according to the citation. The medal was awarded by Patrick M. Shanahan, then acting Secretary of Defense.

Dave joined Sandia in December of 2003, and has been in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 1989. Prior to 1989, he served active duty in the U.S. Navy for six years. In July of 2017, Dave was recalled to active duty, and mobilized with the Joint Special Operations Command, serving overseas.

As command engineer, Dave was responsible for coordinating construction efforts of a multinational command. Per his citation, Dave was “critical to the establishment of an entirely new facility while executing critical upgrades and maintenance of major systems, which set the stage for future Task Force success.”

The citation further stated that Dave’s “accomplishments will have a long-lasting impact toward combatting global terrorism and strengthening United States alliances and partnerships.”

Dave was reunited with his wife, Laura, and their three children last December and returned to Sandia in January to resume his duties as facility supervisor for the Annular Core Research Reactor.

“I greatly appreciate the support of my family, friends and Sandia in my service and am thankful to my TA-V family, who sent a care package into the theater for the troops I worked with,” Dave said. “Sandia does a great job of supporting its guard and reserve members in such a way that we can contribute to and meet our nation’s defense needs.”