Military Act of the Year 2024 Awards laureates announced

A gala evening on the occasion of the Military Act of the Year 2024 Awards, now in its 28th consecutive year, was held at the MOD in Bratislava on Wednesday 23 April 2025. The laureates from among the nominees were presented the Awards in the presence of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák, senior MOD and Armed Forces leaders, guests of honour including WW2 veterans, and the serving men and women of the Armed Forces.

The Military Act of the Year Awards are proof that values ​​such as courage, honour, service to others and humanity are still alive across the Slovak Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence wishes to extend its gratitude to all those who – by their example – contribute to building trust between the Slovak Armed Forces and the public. The aim of the Awards is to recognise and celebrate the good deeds of service personnel and our citizens, who, with their humane character, moral authority and personal sacrifice, go above and beyond their roles and spread the positive values inherent to service in the Forces and patriotism.

The nominated stories – capturing moments of courage in crisis situations and forms of the civilian sector's long-term collaboration with the Slovak Armed Forces – prove that values ​​such as courage and togetherness still have a strong place in society and can inspire others to take action and responsibility.

Aware of the importance of projecting a positive image of the Armed Forces to civilian populations, the MOD seeks to bring the outstanding work of service personnel closer to the public through the Military Act of the Year Awards, showing that active duty service is not just about defending the country, but it is also about serving others in everyday life.

Nominations for the Awards were submitted by personnel from across the entirety of Defence and members of the public. The winners were decided by a panel of judges, composed of senior MOD and Armed Forces leaders, chaired by President and Commander-in-Chief Peter Pellegrini. The Awards were presented in four categories: Rescue of Life, Assistance to the Public, A Friend of the Armed Forces, and Service to the Country.

2024 RESCUE OF LIFE AWARD

Cpl Jozef Bodnár and Cpl Lukáš Ivanecký from Slovak Army's 20 Logistics Battalion Prešov

Their citation states: “While off-duty on a beach in Latvia on 24 August 2024, Cpl Jozef Bodnár and Cpl Lukáš Ivanecký saved a total of five lives. In two separate cases, they pulled three drowning children and, later, a man and his daughter out of rough seas off the coast near Camp Ādaži. With their presence of mind, bravery and willingness to help even when off-duty, they averted a series of tragedies. Their actions reflect the SVK military's mindset of responsibility, courage and selflessness.”

2024 ASSISTANCE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD

MSgt Jozef Blaho from Slovak Army's 901 Engineer Battalion Sereď, part of 91 Engineer Regiment Sereď

His citation reads: “MSgt Jozef Blaho has since long been a role model of selfless help and personal commitment for the civilian and military community. As a driving force behind numerous charitable activities, he has organised fundraisers for the families of deceased colleagues, social care facilities, children of soldiers, and communities in deployment areas. He has significantly contributed to charity efforts and to building memorial sites and restoring war graves. His actions that go over and above the standard expected of his role have confirmed that helping others is a very natural part of his life and service to the country.”

2024 FRIEND OF THE ARMED FORCES AWARD

President and members of the Czech and Slovak Artillery Association

Their citation says: “President of the Czech and Slovak Artillery Association (ČASOD) Col (Ret'd) Jozef Kavecký and members of the Association have been actively involved in popularising military and artillery traditions, organising commemorations at home and abroad, ceremonies, exhibitions, and patriotic lectures. They restore memorial sites, support recruitment campaigns, and reward the achievements of ex-artillerymen. In addition, they knight officer cadets into the Order of the Knights of Artillery and collaborate with various armed forces and institutions. Their work greatly contributes to building trust in the Slovak Armed Forces, spreading pride in the military profession, and preserving historical memory for future generations.”

2024 SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY AWARD

Personnel of 46 Wing Kuchyňa, Slovak Special Operations Forces and 5 Special Forces Regiment Žilina

The citation quotes: “In an extremely difficult and dangerous situation as the conflict in Lebanon escalated, military personnel of 46 Wing Kuchyňa, the Slovak Special Operations Forces, and other Armed Forces units conducted successful humanitarian evacuation flights for Slovak and foreign nationals out of Beirut in October 2024. In extremely unpredictable combat conditions, they demonstrated a high level of professionalism, courage and the ability to quickly coordinate evacuation efforts. Thanks to their commitment to the mission, 94 people were evacuated from the area under immediate threat of airstrikes. Their performance proves the Slovak Armed Forces' readiness to protect lives in emergencies, at home and abroad.”