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​​​​​​​​​BULL SIMONS AWARD

​The Bull Simons Award was first awarded in 1990. The award recognizes recipients who embody “the true spirit, values, and skills of a Special Operations warrior.” Col. Arthur “Bull” Simons, whom the award is named after, was the epitome of these attributes.​​

The Bull Simons Award is a lifetime Special Operations Forces achievement award and USSOCOM's highest honor.


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2026​ Bull Simons Award Recipient

U.S. Navy Captain Frank K. Butler

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​Previous Bull Simons Award Recipients

  • Lt. Col. Lewis “Bucky” Burruss Jr.​ - 2025

  • ​Col. Larry Ropka - 2025

  • Brig. Gen. Richard W. Potter, Jr. ​- 2024

  • Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad - 2024

  • Gen. Gary Harrell - 2023

  • CSM Tyrone Adderly - 2022

  • CSM Mel Wick - 2021

  • MG Sidney Shachnow - 2019

  • Sgt. Maj. Dennis Wolfe - 2018

  • Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Lampe - 2017

  • Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker - 2016

  • Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Lamb - 2015

  • Army Col. Robert Howard - 2014

  • Army Chief Warrant Officer Fred Arooji - 2013

  • Air Force Master Sgt. Scott Fales - 2012

  • Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub - 2011

  • Army Maj. Gen. Eldon Bargewell - 2010

  • Army Col. Chuck Fry - 2009

  • Army Maj. Caesar Civitella - 2008

  • Air Force Col. John Carney - 2007

  • Army Maj. Richard “Dick” Meadows - 2006

  • Army Maj. Gen. Richard Scholtes - 2005

  • Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Tabata - 2004

  • Air Force Brig. Gen. Harry Aderholdt - 2003

  • Army Col. Charlie Beckwith - 2001

  • Army Lt. Gen. William Yarborough - 2000

  • Air Force Maj. Gen. John Alison - 1999

  • Army Gen. James Lindsay - 1998

  • The Honorable William Cohen - 1997

  • The Honorable Sam Nunn​​ - 1997

  • Air Force Lt. Gen. Leroy Manor - 1996

  • Army Lt. Gen. Samuel Wilson - 1995

  • Army Col. Aaron Bank - 1994

  • The Honorable John Marsh Jr. - 1993

  • Gen. Edward “Shy” Meyer - 1991

  • Mr. H. Ross Perot - 1990

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