USBP Achievement Award Recipients
Originally designed to be the Chief's Commendation Medal under the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the design was repurposed as the USBP Achievement Award. The Chief's Commendation Medal was awarded to one person in 2002.
USBP Achievement Award graphic by TIOH.
Criteria
Awarded to an employee or a group for meritorious achievement or service based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature, and shall be of such merit as to warrant more recognition than is possible by non-traditional awards, but which is not significant enough to justify the U.S. Border Patrol Commendation Award, or
To add your USBP Achievement Award to this page, send an email to [email protected]. Please include a photo of the award, certificate and other relevant information.
Last update - July 24, 2024
USBP Achievement Award graphic by TIOH.
Criteria
Awarded to an employee or a group for meritorious achievement or service based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature, and shall be of such merit as to warrant more recognition than is possible by non-traditional awards, but which is not significant enough to justify the U.S. Border Patrol Commendation Award, or
- Awarded to an individual or a group for lifesavings efforts, exceeding expectation, not involving heroism,
- Awarded to an individual or a group for heroism, not justifying the U.S. Border Patrol Commendation Award.
To add your USBP Achievement Award to this page, send an email to [email protected]. Please include a photo of the award, certificate and other relevant information.
Last update - July 24, 2024
Award Links
Recipients
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Omar S. Rascon
Citation for heroism
On December 14, 2014, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Sierra Blanca station attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle. The driver of the vehicle attempted to evade, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the suspects fired volleys of rounds at agents and Border Patrol vehicles. The pursuit was joined by other agents and local law enforcement. The suspect vehicle drove onto county and ranch roads before it eventually became disabled on Eagle Mountain. Three armed suspects engaged law enforcement with firearms. During the gunfight, one suspect suffered multiple gunshot wounds ending the firefight. All three suspects were taken into custody and subsequently convicted of numerous crimes. The actions of the Border Patrol Agents brought credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Clifford A. Gill (second award)
Citation for meritorious achievement
From May 18, 1998 to December 31, 2020, Assistant Chief (ASC) Clifford A. Gill's accomplishments displayed a passion for duty and service in each assignment he undertook. ASC Gill started his career at the Laredo South Station. He was a dedicated member of the USBP Honor Guard for over 20 year-end the founding commander of the USBP Pipes and Drums. At USBP headquarters, ASC Gill led the effort to create the Untied States Border Patrol's official Awards and History Programs. Through the Awards Program, employees can now receive meaningful and lasting recognition for their achievements. His arduous hours of detailed research at the National Archives revealed numerous records documenting significant action in Border Patrol History that would have otherwise, never been found. The distinctive accomplishments of Chief Gill's performance brought credit upon himself, his family and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Travis J. Carter
Citation for meritorious achievement
For exceptionally meritorious service while assisting in the life saving rescue efforts on April 24, 2020. Border Patrol Agent Travis J. Carter distinguished himself by displaying the highest attributes of professionalism, technical competence, and leadership ultimately resulting in the saved life of National Guardsman Micheal Watson. His exemplary performance reflects great credit upon himself, Yuma Sector, and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Multiple Recipients
Richard J. Fortunato Clifford A. Gill Stephen Lopez Howard Craig Mark Nelson Jonathan Tacbian Robert C. Nila Guadalupe F. Salazar Joyce Golosino Ricardo R. Rios Basilio Rosales Tim W. Nickell Jeffery C. Swanson Kristen Hill Citation for meritorious achievement
On May 14, 2016, the CBP Pipes and Drums competed in the 15th annual Steve Young Pipe Band Competition, winning the 1st place Performance Award, and the award for Best Dress and Deportment. Their self-discipline and personal devotion to excellence allowed them to overcome the obstacles created by their desperate geographic duty stations, and still maintain the high standards to be successful. For this achievement, the team received the Commissioner's Unit Citation. Their professionalism and performance brought credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Multiple Recipients
Stephen Lopez (second award) Mark Nelson (second award) Ronald J. Muscate Robert C. Nila (second award) Joyce Golosino (second award) Drexel R. Fruits Ricardo R. Rios (second award) Basilio Rosales (second award) Tim W. Nickell (second award) Matthew P. Renner Jeffery C. Swanson (second award) Kristen Hill (second award) Citation for meritorious achievement
On May 14, 2019, the U.S. Border Patrol Pipes and Drums took first place at the National Honor Guard Competition. Although the band members are from various sectors and perform regular law enforcement duties, they excelled at the competition and put on an exceptional performance the earned them first place in the Nation. Their exceptional performance brought credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Multiple recipients
Nathan G. Davis Willie T. Davis Sr. Silvino Arias Citation for heroism
On July 26, 2020, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Ysleta Station, in the face of great danger and personal risk of bodily harm, heroically saved the life of a male who otherwise would have perished in the American Canal. The agents' actions, work ethic, initiative, and dedication reflect highly on them and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Multiple recipients
Richard J. Fortunato (third award) Citation for meritorious achievement
On June 1, 2020, numerous U.S. Border Patrol employees were activated to create a Region III Lead Field Coordinator construct to produce a single, unified response to civil unrest in the Washington, DC National Capital Region. The team's efforts enabled U.S. Customs and Border Protection to quickly respond to assist the Department of Justice in missions aimed at preserving life and protecting property while facilitating the Constitutionally guaranteed tight of the people to peaceably assemble in protest. The group's performance brought credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Zachary L. Pruett
Citation for meritorious achievement
From October 2020 to October 2021, while assigned as the Lead Agent of the Casa Grande Station's small Unmanned Aircraft (sUAS) Unit, Border Patrol Agent (BPA) Zachary Pruett identified inefficiencies when making notifications to alert military, civilian and Customs and Border Protection pilots. BPA Pruett developed a more efficient procedure to make notifications of Border Patrol sUAS activity available to all pilots operating in the Tucson Sector area of operations. This contribution to the sUAS program resulted in a safer aviation environment within Tucson Sector. BPA Pruett's actions brought credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Multiple recipients
Birmaik Quinones Matthew Miller Michael R. Brown Leeroy Amaya John P. Mossman Juan A. Bautista Citation for meritorious achievement
On April 2019, the Big Bend Sector Sierra Blanca Horse Patrol Unit (SBHPU) consisting of Agents Birmaik Quinones, Matthew Miller, Michael R. Brown, Leeroy Amaya, John P. Mossman and Juan A. Bautista, set themselves apart by their commitment to excellence in the Horse Patrol Program. The SBHPU demonstrated competency, efficiency responding to field activity resulting in 95% of field apprehensions in March 2019. SBHPU's efforts have shown the true viability of the program, collecting intelligence and revealing new areas of ingress through the rugged mountain terrain. Their integrity, loyalty, and motivation has brought credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. |
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David W. Marshall
Citation for meritorious achievement
From April 3, 2000 to April 30, 2020, Assistant Chief David Marshall distinguished himself with sustained superior performance which enhanced the border security mission of the United States Border Patrol. Throughout twenty years of service, Assistant Chief Marshall, though his leadership, integrity and personal skills, enhanced the readiness and mission capability of each unit to which he was assigned. Assistant Chief Marshall's superior performance brought credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. |
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Jay Visconti
Citation for meritorious achievement
From January 2, 1996 to July 30, 2022, Assistant Chief Jay Visconti distinguished himself with sustained superior service which enhanced the border security mission of the United States Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Throughout over twenty-six years of service, Assistant Chief Visconti, through his leadership, integrity and personal skills, enhanced the readiness and mission capability of each unit to which he was assigned. Assistant Chief Visconti's superior performance brought credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol 
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Israel D. Perez
Citation for meritorious achievement
Laredo West Border Patrol Station Management would like to recognize Border Patrol Agent Israel D. Perez for the United States Border Patrol Achievement Award. BPA Perez has demonstrated a great deal of commitment and dedication to the USBP Mission by continually disrupting Human Smuggling Organizations attempts to further undocumented non-citizens into the United States of America. BPA Perez' attention to detail, excellent work ethic, and unwavering dedication to securing our borders has been unparalleled. BPA Perez continues to develop himself as a mentor to junior agents and is respected by all his senior agents to include the supervisory cadre. BPA Perez' exemplary performance has contributed to LRW success. Honor First note - The narrative on this certificate does not follow the 2018 Honorary Award Narrative Guidance.
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Marshal R. Mayer
Citation for heroism
On October 5. 2019. Luna County Central Dispatch contacted the Deming Border Patrol Station for assistance in locating two distressed hunters in the Florida Mountains. Border Patrol Agents Garcia and Calzada responded to search near the coordinates provided by dispatch. The agents were able to quickly locate the subjects in the dark by climbing the mountain and making contact with the hunters. They determined that one subject was exhausted yet ambulatory. The second subject was experiencing severe issues and required medical attention. Agents Garcia and Calzada slowly assisted the subjects down the steep mountainside to a road in the canyon. Agent Garcia carried one subject on his shoulders while Agent Calzada assisted the other subject. Agent Mayer led EMS units from the highway into the remote canyon where they met the rescue party and provided further medical assistance and help guiding the group back to the highway where both subjects were transported to the hospital for further treatment, Agent Mayer's actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol Honor First note - The narrative on this certificate does not follow the 2018 Honorary Award Narrative Guidance. USBP Achievement Medal certificates end with the phrase "brought credit". "Brought great credit" is used on USBP Commendation Medal and Newton-Azrak Award certificates.
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Francisco A. Heredia
Citation for heroism
On July 29, 2018, Border Patrol Agent Francisco A. Heredia responded to a woman struggling to stay afloat in the American Canal. Agent Heredia without hesitation jumped into the canal to rescue the woman. He quickly pulled her from the canal and provided first aid until emergency personnel arrived. His actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. 
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Joshua E. Porter
Citation for meritorious achievement
Mr. Porter has made significant contributions to the Strategic Policy and Analysis Directorate (SPAD), Innovation and Integration Division (IID). As a COR III, he over saw the awarding and/or execution of seven contracts spanning the Directorate and the Office of the Chief, exceeding $20M in value. He served an integral role in the execution of SPAD's organizational change request. By writing essential positions descriptions, Mr. Porter led SPAD's Planning, Programming, Budget and Accountability (PPBA) Process, by collaborating with SPAD Associate Chiefs and Directors to execute $17M in funding. Mr. Porter, in addition, oversaw the awarding of a contract for the C-1 Priority Heat Stress Kit deployment to 17,000 agents. 
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James M. Obert
Citation for meritorious achievement
On April 21. 2021. Border Patrol Agent David A. Jimarez placed his own safety at risk when he prevented two non-citizen juveniles from being struck by an oncoming vehicle. In doing so, BPA Jimarez was struck by a vehicle and suffered a severe head injury. The swing shift group, to include Supervisory Border Patrol Agents, Border Patrol Agents and Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists, worked hand in hand to render aid and ensure BPA Jimarez was rapidly transported via Life Flight to the nearest medical facility. This collaborative effort undoubtedly saved the life of BPA Jimarez and proves the importance of teamwork and dedication, not only to your country, but to your fellow Border Patrol Agents serving beside you. Congratulations on a job well done. 
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Multiple Recipients
Eric Gomez Citation for meritorious achievement
On May 24, 2022, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Border Patrol Agents performed beyond the call of duty in their response to an active shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. Despite the great personal risk, agents made their way to the school and, without hesitation, assisted in clearing classrooms and evacuating students and teachers. These agents provided direct support as first responders and saved numerous lives through their efforts and quick response. Agents answered the call of duty, exemplifying bravery, heroism, and valor by consciously taking action and focusing under pressure, resulting in many children and teachers being safely evacuated from the scene. 
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Edward P. Wagner
Citation for meritorious achievement
For meritorious service and performance as a valued member of the United States Border Patrol Incident Driven Video Recording Systems team. You successfully collaborated and partnered with CBP and DHS to analyze, assess, evaluate, & implement new technologies that not only benefitted mission goals, CBP officers & agents, & the public, but also furthered mission objectives for programs across CBP and DHS. The team was selected as the FY 2022 Department of Homeland Security Level 3 Acquisition Program of the Year & your actions and performance brought credit upon yourself and the U.S. Border Patrol. 
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Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Luis Garza
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Roberto Martinez Border Patrol Agent Javier Adriano Jr. City of Brownsville Police Officer Cesar Encinia On June 18, 2019, the quick and collaborative actions taken by Supervisory Border Patrol Agents Luis Garza and Roberto Martinez, Border Patrol Agent Javier Adriano Jr., and City of Brownsville Police Officer Cesar Encinia led to the successful recovery of a two-year-old child who had been taken from his family by a callous smuggler. Because of their dedication to duty, the smuggler was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and subsequently convicted to a term in prison. Their efforts bring credit upon themselves, the United States Border Patrol, and the Brownsville Police Department.
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