The annual WIne Country Marines "Semper Fidelis Award" was awarded for the sixth time in 2010.
The award is given in testimony and tribute to outstanding contributions and exceptional accomplishments to the Marine Corps Veteran Community within the Sonoma & Napa Valleys.
COLONEL BRENDAN KEARNEY, USMC (RET.) IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2010 SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD
Colonel Brendan Kearney and his wife Katie
Brendan Kearney as a young Lieutenant on his Wedding Day
Each year, a Birthday Ball Planning Committee made up of approximately 40 people does the real work behind the scenes to ensure a successful and enjoyable event each November. Several members of the group are also actively involved in our other activities throughout the year to include our three non-profit charities: Devil Pups, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Toys For Tots. When Marines decide to do something, they tend to really get the job done right. However, someone often goes above and beyond the call of duty and it is only fitting to recognize this type of dedication and hard work. Here is what Colonel Bill Peacock (our current President and Chairman of the Board) had to say regarding the 2010 recipient:
"In testimony and tribute to outstanding contributions and exceptional accomplishments to both the Wine Country Marines and the Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball, the Wine Country Marines takes pleasure in awarding the 2010 "Semper Fidelis" Award to Colonel Brendan P. Kearney, USMC (Retired). "
With the loving help and support of his lovely wife Katie, Colonel Brendan P. Kearney has served with distinction as the President & Chairman of the Board of our 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. He has also been an outstanding Master of Ceremonies of the Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball and currently serves as the Marshal of Ceremonial Protocol for this prestigious annual event and fundraiser. He is also been extremely instrumental in helping us procure very high-profile distinguished Marines as our Guests of Honor.
Colonel Brendan Kearney, USMC (Official Photo)
Colonel Brendan Kearney is a San Francisco native having attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory and the University of San Francisco, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government.
Commissioned in the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Program in July 1975, then Second Lieutenant Kearney attended The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia graduating in 1976. His initial assignment was with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Legal Officer, and Company Commander.
In December 1978 he was transferred to Marine Corps Base, Camp S. D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan for service as the Recreation Officer for Base Special Services.
In December 1979 he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Mare Island, Vallejo, California serving as Range Officer, Guard Officer and as Barracks Executive Officer prior to transfer to the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) as a Captain in July 1983.
Following graduation from AWS in June 1984, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines where he served as Battalion S-4, S-3, and as Weapons Company Commander. During this tour, then Captain Kearney deployed with his unit to the Western Pacific while attached to the 13th Marine Amphibious Unit.
Transferred to the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity in July 1986, newly promoted Major Kearney assumed responsibilities for Ground Firepower and the Position Location Reporting System (PLRS) Projects.
In July 1989 he was transferred to 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan serving initially as the S-3 and subsequently as the Regimental Executive Officer for 4th Marines, participating in Operation Desert Shield and combat operations in Operation Desert Storm.
In July 1991 he was reassigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force, serving initially as the Operations Officer, 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (9th MEB) and subsequently as the G-3, 9th MEB and US Marine Forces Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold-92.
Transferred to Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. in June 1992, Lieutenant Colonel Kearney concurrently served as Head, Current Operations Section; Head, Exercise Section; and Head, Marine Corps Command Center, within the Operations Division of Plans, Policies and Operations Department.
From August 1993 to June 1994, Lieutenant Colonel Kearney attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., graduating with a Master's Degree in National Security Strategy.
Reporting to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Lieutenant Colonel Kearney assumed command of 3d Battalion, 3d Marines "America's Battalion" on 28 July 1994. He relinquished command on 15 February 1996.
In March 1996, he reported to Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Command for duty as the Country Director for Japan, within the Policy and Strategy Branch of the Strategic Planning and Policy Directorate (J-5).
Promoted to Colonel in July 1998. Colonel Kearney was next assigned to Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps where he served as Head, Unified Commands and International Issues Branch within the Plans Division of Plans, Policies and Operations Department. During this period, he additionally attended as a selected Fellow, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest.
Arriving in Okinawa in August 2000 served as Commanding Officer, 4th Marines until August of 2002. Colonel Kearney's final year on Okinawa was as the Chief of Staff, III Marine Expeditionary Force. During this period he additionally taught a Master's Degree level course on "The Theory and Nature of War" for the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Colonel Kearney's final assignment was as the Chief of Staff, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe in Stuttgart, Germany from August 2003 until May 2006.Colonel Kearney completed 31 years of service and retired from active duty on 30 June 2006.
He and his wife, Katie, currently reside in Santa Rosa, California, from where he periodically appears as an International/Military affairs analyst with San Francisco's CBS affiliate KPIX. Since his retirement from active duty, Colone Kearney has worked as a Senior Executive with several high-tech firms and also maintains a private consulting practice specializing in leadership and strategic challenge.
Colonel Kearny serves on the Board of Directors with three Marine Corps related non-profit, California-based organizations: the Marines' Memorial Association in San Francisco, Divil Pups, Inc, and the Wine Country Marines. He is also a Strategic Advisor for TogetherWeServed.com in which he is directly responsible to the President/Founder for on-going, long-term strategic efforts and identifying and enganging opportunities associated with the military community at large.
Brendan Kearney as a Major (far right side) during Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait - February 1991 (Photo by Colonel Jim Fulks, USMC)
Past Recipients of the Semper Fidelis Award:
- 2009 - Colonel WIlliam E. Peacock, USMCR (Ret.)
- 2008 - Robert K. Leonard, Former Captain of Marines
- 2007 - Colonel Harry Pratt, USMC (Ret.)
- 2006 - Fred Unsworth, Former Sergeant of Marines
