Photo Caption: Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (left), the Adjutant General of New Jersey congratulates Mount Holly resident Capt. Michelangela Blachowski (right) after presenting her with a Bronze Star during an awards ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Flemington.

     Capt. Blachowski received the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious achievement while assigned as the Central Funding Officer in charge for the 336th Finance Command during her yearlong deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror.  The 50th was assigned to the 336th Finance Command in Iraq.  While stationed in Iraq, the 50th Finance Battalion was instrumental in creating and maintaining the first Central Funding Facility in Iraq, which held more than $400 million and was responsible for paying military and civilian personnel throughout Iraq.

     The Bronze Star is awarded to those soldiers who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service during an action against an enemy of the United States or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing force.