Former Navy SEAL officer Clint Bruce to receive MMA Iwo Jima Leadership Award

March 3, 2014 - PRLog -- HARLINGEN, Texas – Former U.S. Navy SEAL officer and decorated United States Naval Academy athlete Clint Bruce will be the recipient of the Iwo Jima Leadership Award at the General H. M. Smith Foundation Dinner on Friday, April 4 at 6 p.m. at Marine Military Academy (MMA).

Past recipients of the prestigious Iwo Jima Leadership Award include former Secretary of State George Schultz, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), Gov. Rick Perry (Texas), former NFL star Vince Papale and Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (Texas).

Bruce is now the founder and president of Trident Response Group, a global intelligence, intervention and rescue group based in Dallas. He is also the founder of Carry the Load, a non-profit organization that exists to re-establish the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Bruce graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997. A four-year starter for the Midshipmen, he remains one of the most decorated athletes in the academy’s history.

Captain and MVP of the 9-3 1996 Aloha Bowl Champion Navy Football Team, Bruce was named First Team All-Independent for two years at linebacker and invited to play in both the Blue-Gray All-Star Game and the North-South All-Star Game. He was also awarded the Annapolis Touchdown Club Tony Rubino MVP Award and recently inducted into the Navy Football All-Stadium Team.

Though he had NFL career opportunities with the Baltimore Ravens and News Orleans Saints, Bruce’s passion to serve and desire to live among true warriors led him to join the greatest team on earth, the U.S. military.

Bruce was selected for one of 16 Navy SEAL officer billets offered to Naval Academy graduates. In 1998, he was one of only 12 men to graduate from BUDS/S Class 217 from a starting class of more than 200. Assigned to SEAL Team V, Bruce completed multiple deployments to the Pacific Theater and Middle East in multiple leadership positions directly supporting the War on Terror.

In addition to recognizing a true and outstanding leader, the General H. M. Smith Foundation Dinner also honors individuals who have generously donated to MMA in the last fiscal year.

Since 1970, the General H. M. Smith Foundation Dinner is a highly revered annual fundraiser that upholds the memory of Gen Holland M. “H.M.” Smith. Gen Smith was a Marine and famed war hero who served in World War I and World War II. Also known as “Howlin’ Mad” Smith, he was known as the father of modern amphibious warfare. Gen Smith was a benefactor of children and a staunch donor to MMA until his passing in 1967 at age 84.

The cost to attend the General H.M. Smith Foundation Dinner is $250 per seat. Sponsorships for tables are available. To reserve a seat or table, contact MMA’s Institutional Advancement department at (956) 421-9232 or e-mail flores@MMA-TX.org.