U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter recently honored Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz with the Department of Defense’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the department’s highest civilian honor.
Moniz was honored in recognition of his leadership in strengthening the partnership between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in support of vital security missions.
“We face a nuclear landscape that continues to pose challenges,” Carter said. “Secretary Moniz has been a key player in helping to shape that landscape for decades, and for the better. He’s led numerous international efforts to counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, engaging international partners to improve nuclear safeguards, and made verifiable nuclear reductions.”
Carter said Moniz played an instrumental role in the technical analysis and negotiations to secure the deal that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Carter also noted Moniz’s strong support for nuclear deterrent missions.
Moniz said the award, “recognizes how the men and women of the Departments of Defense and Energy work together to ensure America’s national security. We are proud to partner with DoD, uniformed and civilian, in sustaining the deterrent through our shared commitment to technology, innovation, and science.”