Maj. Jeffery Bartz, a chaplain endorsed by Regular Baptist Chaplaincy, was awarded the Air National Guard’s 2023 Samuel Stone Award, recognizing him as Chaplain of the Year for the ANG.
Jeff (second from left in photo above) serves with the 107th Attack Wing at the Niagara Falls (New York) Air Reserve Station. He is also pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Batavia, New York. He received the award June 3 for his “outstanding service” in 2022. His “leadership and self-sacrifice brought out the very best in our Airmen during the most challenging of times,” says Col. Andrew Carlson, wing commander of the 107th Attack Wing.
One of those challenging times occurred December 23–25, 2022. Grace Baptist Church was designated as a storm shelter for travelers stranded by a life-threatening blizzard. Jeff provided care for more than 100 people sheltering at the church.
“Our guests were grateful to be alive, especially upon hearing the death toll rise as the blizzard raged,” Bartz says.
Carlson says that Jeff’s “efforts and leadership doubtlessly saved lives.”
On Dec. 26, the day after the travel ban was lifted, Jeff became involved in the National Guard’s “Immediate Response Force and Fatality Search and Recovery Team in the field, taking care of Airmen and residents in need,” Carlson says.
Carlson says that “Chaplain Bartz epitomizes the selfless dedication required of our service and represents the very best of the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps.”
The Samuel Stone Award, named after the first recorded chaplain to serve in the militia of colonial America, is the highest honor a military chaplain can receive.
