The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Combat Casualty Care Research Program received the 2012 Maj. Jonathan Letterman Award for Medical Excellence at a ceremony held in Bethesda, Md., Oct. 24. Four individuals and four organizations were nominated for the prestigious award, which was presented by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. In true pioneer style, all of the nominees continue to work tirelessly to advance medical care and conditions for our fighting troops and civilian population.

In honor of Letterman and his accomplishments in the field of medicine, the Letterman Award is given to individuals and organizations whose efforts contribute to the advancement of medical processes and improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

The USAMRMC's Combat Casualty Care Research Program was formed to reduce the mortality and morbidity resulting from injuries on the battlefield, with the primary goals of (1) reducing the mortality rate of American troops by 16 percent; (2) reducing the morbidity of combat injuries; and (3) reducing the medical footprint on the battlefield. To date, the CCCRP has approximately 1,000 combat casualty care research projects from basic research through clinical trials.

The Letterman Award for Medical Excellence was established in October 2008 to pay tribute to the visionary medical practices of Maj. Jonathan Letterman during the Civil War. Known today as the "Father of Battlefield Medicine," Letterman's critical care planning saved countless lives during the Civil War, and continues to saves lives in current wars, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan. The USAMRMC's Combat Casualty Care Research Program continues this mission and has contributed to numerous lifesaving medical breakthroughs on the battlefield.

"This award recognizes the deep commitment of the researchers, clinicians, and staff in the Combat Casualty Care Research Program to save lives and mitigate injuries of Wounded Warriors," said Col. Dallas Hack, director of the CCCRP. "Thousands of lives have been saved and troops returned to duty as a result of this program over the last eleven years."

New York Times best-selling author and philanthropist Lee Woodruff offered the keynote address at this year's awards ceremony Gala Dinner.