T h e T r o p h y
General LEONARD MOCIULSCHI
for the year 2008
The 21st Mountain Infantry Battalion represents a fascinating combination between legend, history and modern professionalism, everything being created by its men's attachment to the country, army, unit and the battle flag. This battalion signifies the beginnings of the modern mountain infantry, a model for the other mountain units, term of comparison for performances as well a measure standard. Many cadets who aimed to become one day a mountain infantry officer, surely directed their steps, thoughts and hopes towards the 21st Mountain Battalion of the Romanian Army.
Within the past years, prominent military personalities all over the world appreciated the high level of training of these mountain troops and consequently of the entire army. The 21st Mountain Infantry Battalion is one of the Romanian elite units, awarded with important prizes in contests (skiing and mountain climbing). Moreover, the 21st Mountain Infantry Battalion successfully participaded in many international U.N. missions. Along the time axis this unit was differentiated by the great Romanian military personalities:
" My eagles! " - Gen. Leonard Mociulschi, Knight of the Order of Michael the Brave, the last CO of the Romanian Mountain Corps (1945);
"Inside the 21st Mountain Battalion I had been appreciated the order, discipline, rigor, perseverance and its men's dignity" - Gen. Virgil Mahulet, commander of the 14th Mountain Brigade (1957-1961);
"In any of its historical periods, the 21st Mountain Infantry Battalion was, it is and it will be the flag of our beautiful military traditions of the Carpathians armed forces within the Romanian Army" - Gen. Mihail Perju, CO of the 2nd Mountain Brigade (1964-1968);
"The 21st Mountain Battalion is an eagle nest of the Carpathians, a stern school of the mountain, mainly for skiing and rock climbing, for the entire Romanian Army" - Gen. Marin Dragu, deputy commander of the 2nd Mountain Brigade (1968-1973);
For all these reasons the Trophy GENERAL LEONARD MOCIULSCHI has been granted to the 21st Mountain Infantry Battalion not for its honor name but for the renown and outstanding results of this prestigious military unit, as its entire history might be related to the old latin wisdom :
