The Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Award - 2021: COL DJ Reyes ’79 USA (Ret.)

2021: COL DJ Reyes ’79 USA (Ret.)

In recognition of his exemplary Army service spanning over 30 years during peace and in war, Colonel DJ Reyes ’79 is honored with this award.

A proud Asian-American and Pacific Islander, former Bengal Bouts fighter, and son of a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Reyes was the 1979 Patrick Dixon Award Recipient from the Notre Dame Army ROTC upon commissioning as an officer. After graduation, he served in both military intelligence and special operations assignments worldwide, commanded at the detachment through brigade and joint site levels, and led troops in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti, and Korea. Reyes also earned a Juris Doctor degree in Law from Temple University and a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. Upon retirement in 2013, he helped establish the Tampa, Florida, Veterans Treatment Court, a nationally renowned problem-solving program focused on rehabilitation of veterans who have suffered from disorders sustained during military service. He is a national veterans’ rights spokesman who continues to successfully advocate at both the Florida state and national levels for veteran legislation and funding. His social advocacy also extends to assisting those most in need. He is a mayoral-appointed member on the Tampa Citizens Review Board (overseeing local police actions and procedures within the community), actively supports Heartdance Foundation (anti-human trafficking operations in Tampa), and with his wife, Julie, supports programs for the disabled and military special needs population.

“God, Country, Notre Dame” served as the foundation, and later a moral compass, that helped me navigate through times of uncertainty and deal with human conflict and suffering while deployed in other parts of the world. This is what the Corby Award means to me, and for this reason I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award.”