When the number of recipients of a particular award is so small that Scouting America can publish the list in its entirety, you know you’re dealing with a prestigious award.
Such is the case with the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award, an award given to men and women who serve the OA beyond the lodge level — on a sectional, regional or national basis.
The award is given every two or three years. The 2024 recipients were officially approved by the Order of the Arrow committee at last week’s National Annual Meeting.
“This award recognizes the members of Scouting’s National Honor Society who have given significantly of themselves in cheerful service to the Order beyond the lodge level,” says Chris Grove, chair of the national OA committee. “It is reserved for those who exceeded the already high expectations of our members. This group of recipients are to be commended for their accomplishments and for all they have done for Scouting and the Order.”
Less than 1,200 OA distinguished service awards have been given since its creation in 1940.
What is the OA Distinguished Service Award?
The OA Distinguished Service Award was created in 1940 to honor those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to Arrowmen — youth and adults — who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional or national basis.
The award is presented at the National Order of the Arrow Conference. There will be a livestream of the presentation for remote delegates; click here to register to become a remote delegate and gain access to the stream.
The award is a sterling silver arrowhead bearing an arrow pointing up and to the wearer’s right. The award is suspended from a white neck-ribbon, on which red arrows are embroidered. A white square knot embroidered on red cloth is available for uniform wear and a silver arrowhead lapel pin is available for civilian wear.
You might recognize some of the names on the chronological list of winners.
Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson, founders of the Order of the Arrow, were part of the OA Distinguished Service Award’s inaugural class, as was James E. West, the BSA’s first “executive secretary,” later renamed Chief Scout Executive.
It is one of several awards offered by the Order of the Arrow.
How do you nominate someone for the OA Distinguished Service Award?
Fill out the nomination form here.
The award is available to adults (volunteers and Scouting America professionals) and Scouts under 21.
Only a limited number of awards are approved. Arrowmen whose service records are the most outstanding and extend the farthest beyond the lodge level are usually selected.
Who are the 2024 recipients?
The 2024 OA Distinguished Service Award recipients are:
Ross Arnold
Jeffrey Aster
Jason Ball
Timothy Beecher
Kurt Everett Brown
Steven Buer
Vianney Careaga
Matthew Carlson
Adrian Castaneda
Corey Channell
Johncarlo Cinelli
Evan Crocker
James Delorey
Benjamin Deveau
John Donat
Paul Empie
Carson Paul Engelmann
Mike Fowler
Thomas Franklin
Sam Gartzman
Sean Gertsch
Joseph “Joey” Grabill Jr
Zachary Grinvalsky
Cortney Grosz
Wade Hartley
Eli J. Hattersley
Roger Hoyt
Darryk Kelly
Dave Kenneke
Grant Kim
Michael Kirby
Matthew Kusche
Vincent La Padula
Carson Lee
Andrew Line
Adam Lucier
Andrew Miller
Daniel Miller
Nikolaus K. Newman
Michael D. Parmer
Michael J. Payne
Grant Phifer
Alexander Pillis
Timothy Reiss
Michael “Mac” Richards
Bradley L. Schmidt
Peter Selfors
Catherine Simpson
Dirk Smelser
Andrea Watson
David Werhane
Michael Whitford
David Williams
Inspire Leadership, Foster Values: Donate to Scouting
When you give to Scouting, you are making it possible for young people to have extraordinary opportunities that will allow them to embrace their true potential and become the remarkable individuals they are destined to be.
Donate Today