Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Linda Robinson Wins Ford Journalism Prize on National Defense
Just learned that my friend, Linda Robinson, won the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense.
Those familiar with Linda's work will agree: She's a marvelous writer. I interviewed her while working on my book, American Airborne Forces, and I reviewed her book, Masters of Chaos, for MilitaryWeek.com. See here.
Press release follows:
Linda Robinson of U.S. News & World Report Wins Ford Journalism Prize on National Defense
Linda Robinson, a Senior Writer at U.S. News & World Report, won the eighteenth annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of national defense issues. Vice President Cheney, former President Ford's Chief of Staff, is scheduled to present the award at a National Press Club luncheon on June 13th.
Last year was an extraordinarily competitive year for excellence in national security journalism. Almost every entry submitted had at least one great story, and the writing covered topics as diverse as challenges facing the
U.S. military and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, changing techniques in the global war on terrorism, and --
closer to home -- base closure, personnel strength, and military transformation issues.
Linda Robinson's entry was noteworthy for its balanced reporting and analysis, written in a lucid, easy-to-understand and elegant style that made it a pleasure to read.
Ms. Robinson took the reader with her on the trail of Osama bin Laden in the mountains of Afghanistan, where soldiers build "Ranger's graves" against grenade attacks.
In Baghdad, she explained how minutes count in processing intelligence information in the hunt for the terrorist
Zarqawi and other insurgents.
In a report on U.S. Special Forces, Ms. Robinson illuminated for the public how Pentagon turf wars affect potential U.S. responses to new challenges in the global war on terrorism.
The judges for this year's contest were: Chair, Sharon Squassoni, Specialist in National Defense with the
Congressional Research Service; L. Edgar Prina, author, award winning journalist and former Bureau Chief of the Copley News Service; Robert Holzer, a former award winning journalist with Defense News now working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Michael Champness, Associate Director of Air Defense Policy with the Office of Homeland Defense.
The Gerald R. Ford Foundation sponsors the National Defense Prize. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford's sustained commitment to public service.
For more information about the annual prize or previous winners contact:
Robert B. Gamble
Gerald R. Ford Foundation
303 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353
616-254-0397
geraldrfordfoundation.org
WTSjr
Those familiar with Linda's work will agree: She's a marvelous writer. I interviewed her while working on my book, American Airborne Forces, and I reviewed her book, Masters of Chaos, for MilitaryWeek.com. See here.
Press release follows:
Linda Robinson of U.S. News & World Report Wins Ford Journalism Prize on National Defense
Linda Robinson, a Senior Writer at U.S. News & World Report, won the eighteenth annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense. The $5,000 award recognizes journalists whose high standards for accuracy and substance help foster a better public understanding of national defense issues. Vice President Cheney, former President Ford's Chief of Staff, is scheduled to present the award at a National Press Club luncheon on June 13th.
Last year was an extraordinarily competitive year for excellence in national security journalism. Almost every entry submitted had at least one great story, and the writing covered topics as diverse as challenges facing the
U.S. military and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, changing techniques in the global war on terrorism, and --
closer to home -- base closure, personnel strength, and military transformation issues.
Linda Robinson's entry was noteworthy for its balanced reporting and analysis, written in a lucid, easy-to-understand and elegant style that made it a pleasure to read.
Ms. Robinson took the reader with her on the trail of Osama bin Laden in the mountains of Afghanistan, where soldiers build "Ranger's graves" against grenade attacks.
In Baghdad, she explained how minutes count in processing intelligence information in the hunt for the terrorist
Zarqawi and other insurgents.
In a report on U.S. Special Forces, Ms. Robinson illuminated for the public how Pentagon turf wars affect potential U.S. responses to new challenges in the global war on terrorism.
The judges for this year's contest were: Chair, Sharon Squassoni, Specialist in National Defense with the
Congressional Research Service; L. Edgar Prina, author, award winning journalist and former Bureau Chief of the Copley News Service; Robert Holzer, a former award winning journalist with Defense News now working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Michael Champness, Associate Director of Air Defense Policy with the Office of Homeland Defense.
The Gerald R. Ford Foundation sponsors the National Defense Prize. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation whose programs are supported entirely by contributions and bequests in an effort to honor President Ford's sustained commitment to public service.
For more information about the annual prize or previous winners contact:
Robert B. Gamble
Gerald R. Ford Foundation
303 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353
616-254-0397
geraldrfordfoundation.org
WTSjr
# posted by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. @ 8:28 PM 
