According to history, Samuel Sharpe was appointed to many positions in government during the very early years of this country. As the first settlers were arriving at the New World, many things would change about the government and life in general. The government of the Massachusetts Bay Colonies was resided over by a Governor, Deputy Governor, and a Council consisting of thirteen freemen. Mr. Sharpe served as one of these thirteen. He was also charged with the care of the “five pieces of Ordnance: that belonged to the colony.” This took place in February of 1628.

On the 17th of April 1629, Mr. Sharpe was appointed by the Council of the Plantation in Massachusetts Bay Colonies to be “Master Gunner of Ordnance”, a title brought over with the colonist from England. The Master Gunner was charged with care of the “ORDNANCE, SHOT, POWDER, MATCH, LADLES, SPONGES, WORMES, CARTRIDGES, ARMES, FIRE-WORKS, AND THE REST OF THE GUNNERS.”

The Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe award is a display of recognition to select personnel who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding professional competence, served the Army Ordnance Corps with selflessness, and contributed to the promotion of the Ordnance Corps in ways that stand out to the recipient’s seniors, subordinates, and peers.

The purpose of the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe is to recognize those individuals who have served the United States Army Ordnance Corps with demonstrated integrity, moral character and professional competence over a sustained period of time. And whose selfless contributions to the Corps stand out in the eyes of their seniors, peers and subordinates alike.

Approval Authority

The approval authority for the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe is delegated to the USAOCA President. The nomination packet must be favorably endorsed by the nominee’s Battalion Commander or GS-14 Equivalent.

Nomination Procedures

*New Procedures beginning 1 January 2023* 

• The Nominee must be an active member of the Ordnance Corps Association 
• The Nominator must be a member of the Ordnance Corps, a Samuel Sharpe recipient, and be an active member of the Ordnance Corps Association 
• Any Ordnance Corps General Officer (Active and Retired) or Hall of Fame Member may serve as the Nominator and Endorser for the Samuel Sharpe Award

• Nominators must use the Ordnance Corps Association’s Samuel Sharpe nomination form to articulate the candidate’s Time in the Corps, Level of Responsibility, Complexity / Difficulty of positions in which they served, Impact / Contribution to the Corps and Sacrifice in Service to the Corps and the Nation. An additional page may be attached if more space is required. The nomination form must also include the full name, rank, duty position, phone number, email address and mailing address of the nominee, nominator, endorser and if appropriate the approval authority.
• Forward the completed nomination form and $75.00 for the cost of the award, shipping and handling along with any required Ordnance Corps Association membership forms and payments to:

U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Association
P.O. Box 5251

Ft. Lee, Virginia 23801

NOTE: The Joint Ethics Regulation does not allow Federal Employees to accept gifts from subordinates that have a value greater than $10. In order to maintain the professional integrity of the Samuel Sharpe award, subordinates may no longer fund the purchase of approved Samuel Sharpe Medals and Certificates for senior federal employees.
• The nomination must be received no later than SEVEN weeks prior to the projected presentation date.
• It is expected that recipients will be presented the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe during an appropriate and dignified ceremony.