On October 18, Husch Blackwell Partner Ike Skelton was presented with the West Point Association of Graduates’ prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award. Since 1958, the Thayer Award has annually recognized a U.S. citizen who is not a West Point graduate for personifying the U.S. Military Academy motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” Skelton received the award at a dinner ceremony following a commemorative review given by The Corps of Cadets. An outspoken leader on national defense issues and an avid supporter of professional military education, Skelton was recognized for living a life reflective of the West Point creed.
Skelton served 34 years as a U.S. Representative from Missouri's 4th District and six years in the Missouri State Senate prior to joining Husch Blackwell. During his time in Congress, he also served 32 years as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, including four years as Chairman. Skelton has received numerous additional awards for his longstanding public service, including the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award, the U.S. Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Medal, and the U.S. Air Force Exceptional Service Award. He has been named an Honorary U.S. Marine and an Honorary U.S. Navy Supply Corps Admiral.
Skelton joins an illustrious group of award recipients, including former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, actor Bob Hope, astronaut Neil Armstrong, diplomat Henry Kissinger and journalists Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw.