A retired major who now works for the Army has become the first American to receive the German army’s highest civilian award. John C. Wirick, who manages the personnel exchange program that enables soldiers to attend schools in other nations, received the German Silver Cross of Honor of the Bundeswehr during a Jan 31 ceremony at the Pentagon. Wirick received the honor for his work in managing the program, which operates 142 personnel exchanges in 16 nations around the world. The award reflected gratitude for Wirick’s work in enabling two German colonels to serve as instructors for the U.S. Army.