Sen. Carper awarded Army Corps’ Gold de Fleury Medal

With Rehoboth Beach’s recently replenished beach in the background, Sen. Tom Carper was awarded the Gold de Fleury Medal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a ceremony June 16.

Each year, the Army Corps awards the Gold de Fleury Medal to one individual outside the Army Engineer Regiment. As the Army Corps’ highest honor, the medal honors and recognizes individuals who have provided significant contributions to Army engineering. The medal also emphasizes the history, customs and traditions of the Army Corps of Engineers community.

The Army Corps selected Carper for his leadership in addressing the nation's water resources infrastructure needs. In 2021, Carper led a bipartisan group of senators in securing $17.1 billion for the Army Civil Works program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That funding helps the Army Corps implement studies and projects, maintain existing infrastructure, and dredge channels in response to floods and coastal storms. Under Carper’s leadership, the Environment and Public Works Committee also drafted and passed the seventh consecutive biennial Water Resources Development Act in 2022.

“Sen. Carper has dedicated his career toward taking care of people,” said Commanding General Scott Spellmon, in a prepared statement. “In both his 23 years of service in the Navy and his more than 46 years as a public servant, he has continued to fight for the safety, security and well being of our nation. It is my honor to present the Gold de Fleury award to a leader like Sen. Carper, whose experience, understanding and perspective continue to support the growing USACE mission.”

Carper said he was humbled and honored to receive the recognition.

“As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the Corps for years, supporting their vital work in Delaware and across our country,” said Carper, who announced last month that he will not seek re-election when his term expires in January 2025. “The Corps keeps our economy moving safely and efficiently, and I’m proud to help the Corps advance solutions to some of our most pressing challenges, including building resilient infrastructure to climate change.”