Westlake son earns Gen. MacArthur award

PROUD MOMENT—U.S. Army Capt. Nicholas E. Ayers, right, receives the prestigious Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award from Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker during a recent Pentagon ceremony. During the now historic speech to the 1962 graduating class of West Point cadets, Gen. Douglas MacArthur inspired the graduates with the words of “...duty, honor, country.” More than 43 years later, those words have an equally inspiring meaning to the son of a Westlake Village couple.

U.S. Army Capt. Nicholas E. Ayers, son of Robert and Rebecca Ayers of Lakewood Place, Westlake Village, was one of only 27 officers from throughout the active Army, Reserves and National Guard to receive the prestigious General Douglas MacArthur leadership award during a recent Pentagon ceremony. 

The leadership awards showcased the top company grade officers within the Army who showed the ability to motivate others, understand fellow soldiers and inspire teamwork and commitment in others.

“I received the award for service as a company commander of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan.,” said Ayers, a 1993 graduate of Thousand Oaks High School and 1997 graduate of U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

“Over the past 19 months, I commanded the tank company through numerous exercises and training events. During my command in Ar Ramadi, Iraq in support of Task Force Iron Ranger, we conducted over 1,000 combat missions trying to bring stability to the area, despite continued attacks.”

Even though officers in the 21st Century face new concerns on a fast-paced, technological battlefield, many of the challenges Gen. MacArthur faced more than half a century ago also face soldiers today. As a 1997 graduate of West Point, Ayers’

advice to new officers entering the Army is not dramatically different from those given to the 1962 West Point class.

“Being an officer carries with it an awesome responsibility to care for, train and lead soldiers, especially in today’s environment. It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly because our soldiers and their families deserve the best. However, despite the hard work, being a leader and caring for soldiers is the most rewarding experience you can have in the Army.”