NCoC offers four awards annually that recognize the contributions extraordinary individuals make in service to our country. They are the Franklin Award, the Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of the Year Award, the HOOAH Award, commissioned by the Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund, and Role Model of the Year Award. 


HOOAH Award- Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund

2022 Recipient: Josh Fryday

Serving in the cabinet of Governor Gavin Newsom, Josh currently leads the service, volunteer, and civic engagement efforts throughout California.  Josh served in the military as an Officer in the United States Navy (‘09-‘13) as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). He was stationed in the Office of Military Commissions, working on the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detainee cases, and testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the closing of Guantanamo. He also served overseas in Yokosuka, Japan, where he augmented the Navy’s 7th Fleet’s Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief efforts during ‘Operation Tomodachi’ following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster.

2021 Recipient: Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)

As an Air Force pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Congressman was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, and he served in the Air Force Special Operations. Today, he continues to serve in the Air National Guard while in Congress, with the current rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Recently, Congressman Kinzinger joined the January 6th Select Committee, one of 2 Republicans to do so. Adam was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2010 and currently represents Illinois’ 16th District.

At the 2021 Annual Conference on Citizenship for a special Veterans Day event, NCoC was joined by the Congressman to accept the award and deliver remarks.

Following the award presentation, Ken Harbaugh (2020 HOOAH Award winner) moderated a panel with Emily Cherniack of New Politics and Chris Marvin of Marvin Strategies.

Previous recipients of the HOOAH Award include the Mike Washington, the Honorable Tulsi Gabbard, Eric Hilleman and Derek Blumke.

Learn more about the HOOAH Award and previous winners.

Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of the Year Award

The Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of the Year Award recognizes the extraordinary commitments of a private citizen.

The 2021 Citizen of the Year is frontline healthcare works for their incredible efforts and leadership to combat Covid-19 in communities across America. Previous recipients include David Rubenstein, Jack Miller, Steve and Jean Case, and Rick Stengel.

Learn more about the Citizen of the Year Award and previous winners. 

Role Model of the Year Award

The Role Model of the Year Award is designed to recognize individuals who use their public presence to inspire others and give back to their community.

Franklin Award

NCoC shares Ben Franklin’s belief that “to provide benefits for the common good is divine.” In his name, the Franklin Award is given annually.

Previous recipients of the Franklin Award include General Ann Dunwoody, the Honorable Norman Mineta, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Stephen Breyer, and Senators Robert Byrd and Lamar Alexander.