5/22/2012: Veterans Hall of Fame (Colonel Stephanie E. Dawson)

Colonel Stephanie E. Dawson has 32 years of dedicated service in the United States Army. Prior to her retirement in July of 2011 she served as Commander of the 53rd Troop Command, one of two major commands within the New York Army National Guard.

Previously, Colonel Dawson led approximately 2,300 soldiers as Commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, the first female to serve as a brigade commander in the New York Army National Guard. She also served as commander of the 27th Rear Area Operations Center based in Kuwait. Hers was one of the first New York Army National Guard units to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2003. 

In 2001, Colonel Dawson was appointed Executive Officer for the 369th Corps Support Battalion during the unit’s 9-11 activation. She led security, supply, transportation, and other logistics support missions for initial Ground Zero operations. 

Colonel Dawson has received numerous military awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. 

In addition, Colonel Dawson has been honored by the business and local communities receiving the 2011 NYS Community Distinction Award and the Congressional Recognition for Distinguished Citizenship Award, among many others. 

Colonel Dawson holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College; a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Marist College and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Cornell University. She currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Chief Operating Officer at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.