Louisiana National Guard troops receive War Cross following overseas deployments
LAFAYETTE, La. – Hundreds of Louisiana Army National Guard soldiers were honored with the Louisiana War Cross on June 7 during a ceremony at the Cajundome.
Col. Jonathan Lloyd, outgoing commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Lt. Col. Greg O’Brien, commander of 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Lemaire, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Fisher, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment command sergeant major, stand at attention during a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 7, 2026.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Madalyn McQuillan)
Louisiana National Guard leaders stand on stage as Soldiers and family members participate in a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 7, 2026. Leaders shown include Maj. Gen. Michael M. Greer, assistant adjutant general of Louisiana; Col. Jonathan Lloyd, former commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Command Sgt. Maj. Sud A. Robertson, senior enlisted advisor-Army; and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Lemaire, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Madalyn McQuillan)
Col. Jonathan Lloyd, outgoing commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presents the Louisiana War Cross to a Soldier during a ceremony following a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 7, 2026. The award recognizes Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers who have served honorably in federal service during a national emergency. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Madalyn McQuillan)
Col. Jonathan Lloyd, outgoing commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presents the Louisiana War Cross to a Soldier during a ceremony following a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 7, 2026. The award recognizes Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers who have served honorably in federal service during a national emergency. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Madalyn McQuillan)
Louisiana War Cross medals await presentation during a ceremony honoring Soldiers assigned to the Louisiana Army National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team "Tiger Brigade" following a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 7, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Madalyn McQuillan)
LAFAYETTE, La. – Hundreds of Louisiana Army National Guard soldiers were honored with the Louisiana War Cross on June 7 during a ceremony at the Cajundome.
The awards were presented to approximately 700 members of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Tiger Brigade,” following a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event. The decorated soldiers recently returned from deployments to Kosovo and the Horn of Africa, where they conducted peacekeeping, base defense and regional stability operations.
During the deployments, the brigade also supported Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai Peninsula.
Former brigade commander Col. Jonathan Lloyd thanked the soldiers and their families for their sacrifices throughout the deployment cycle.
“Thank you to our families for your continued support of our Soldiers. You are the anchors, and there are no successes that we could claim without your support,” Lloyd said. “The opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team and witness leaders and Soldiers train, grow personally and professionally, and deploy in support of our great State and Nation will forever be a core memory.”
The Louisiana War Cross is reserved for National Guard members who serve honorably for at least 90 days in federal service during a national emergency, a presidential call-up or a declaration of war.
Maj. Gen. Michael M. Greer, the assistant adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, praised the troops for achieving critical strategic objectives during a complex, multi-theater mission. He also urged returning soldiers to utilize available transition resources.
“If you find this reintegration challenging, hear me clearly. You are not alone,” Greer said. “Take the information that you received this weekend and find your coping strategy. If you’re carrying a heavy rock right now, put it down and ask for assistance. The Yellow Ribbon team stands ready to support you whenever you need them.”
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the 256th IBCT has deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, the Horn of Africa and the Sinai Peninsula, while also responding to domestic emergencies such as hurricanes and winter storms.
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program provides post-deployment support services and resources to help soldiers and families transition back to daily life.