Photo Caption: Cherry Hill resident Capt. Michael M. Ciarrocca (right) receives the Army Commendation Medal from Lt. Col. Jorge Martinez (left), Commander, 119th Corps Support Battalion during a ceremony held at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville.

Capt. Ciarrocca received the award for meritorious service as the Logistics Officer, 119th Corps Support Battalion from Feb. 1, 2000 to Feb. 28, 2003. “His dedication to duty, excellence in performance and tenacity in pursuit of safe mission accomplishment allowed the battalion and its subordinate units to maintain the readiness, morale and strength essential for the defense of our community, state and nation,” stated Lt. Col. Jorge Martinez, Commander, 119th Corps Support Battalion. “These achievements reflect greatly upon you, the Army, the New Jersey Army National Guard and the proud tradition of the 119th Corps Support Battalion.”

Capt. Ciarrocca is the commander of the 253rd Transportation Company, based at the National Guard Armory at Cape May Courthouse, and is currently serving in Southwest Asia as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Army Commendation Medal is awarded for heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.