(L-R) Cadet Jacob Z. Baker, UA student from Fayetteville, Ga.; Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Novosel; and Lt. Col. Neil Reinwald, UA professor of military science, are shown at the recent awards ceremony.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- University of Alabama ROTC student Cadet Jacob Z. Baker of Fayetteville, Ga., received the SAR Outstanding Medal and a certificate for his leadership qualities, military and academic excellence at the annual ROTC/JROTC Awards Ceremony held in Tuscaloosa last month.

The ceremony is sponsored by the Black Warrior River Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. The event recognizes outstanding achievement among high school and college JROTC and ROTC members.

Guest speaker and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Michael J. Novosel of Enterprise, presented the awards. Novosel is a veteran of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his two tours in Vietnam as a Dustoff Medevac Helicopter pilot.

At the ceremony, Novosel spoke of the responsibilities now placed on the present generation in the fight for freedom. “Our country needs you just as it needed me in my time,” he said.