Lt.Col. David Myones, a Monroe resident and Afghan War veteran, takes command of Army National Guard battalion on Sept. 7, 2024

New York, New York (09/17/2024) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. David Myones, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan and a resident of Monroe, took command of the 369th Special Troops Battalion during a ceremony on Sept. 7, at the Harlem Armory in New York City.

The battalion provides the troops of perform the duties of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, known as the Harlem Hellfighters.

That nickname dates to World War I when the troops of the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment were given that nickname by their German enemies.

Myones has served as the executive officer of the 369th Sustainment Brigade since 2023.

He also served as the executive officer of the 369th Special Troops Battalion, whose nickname is the Black Rattlers, from 2017 to 2020.

Col. Patrick Clare, the commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, praised Myones in his remarks.

"Your reputation as a leader, of exceptional skills and vision, precedes you," Clare said.

He also presented Myones with a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his accomplishments as the brigade's executive officer.

Myones replaces Lt. Col. Michael Bedryk who took command of the battalion in 2021.

"Soldiers learning the history of this unit, training and executing sustainment tasks will be well-prepared to complete the mission," Myones said in his remarks.

"These objectives align closely with my command philosophy and will help guide our approach to success," he told the Soldiers.

Myones military career began when he joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 2006. He earned his commission through the ROTC program at Boston University in 2008.

He has served in a number of positions to include signal battalion executive officer, assistant chief of staff for logistics for the 53rd Troop Command, company commands within the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, command of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry's forward support company, and as a maintenance shop supervisor.

He has served as a military technician with the New York National Guard and has been an active duty National Guard officer since 2015.

He also served as the director of the New York National Guard's State Partnership Program, coordinating training exchanges with the militaries of Brazil, South Africa, Israel and Denmark.

Myones holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Boston University and a Masters Degree in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning.

He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and has completed Air Assault School.

His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, and the Afghan Campaign Medal.

He was recognized as the Army National Guard's logistician of the year in 2016 and while he was director the National Guard named New York's partnership with the Brazilian Military as the best of the year for 1922.

He and his wife Megan have two children.

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