Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña awarded U.S. Air Force Major General Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, the distinguished Order of Merit General de División Bernardino Caballero in the grade of Gran Cross.
The award was presented April 24 in the Government Palace’s Independence Hall, in Asunción, Paraguay. It is the highest award the commander of the Paraguayan Armed Forces grants to civilians and military personnel for their distinctive, valuable service.
The award recognizes the strong alliance between Paraguay and the United States, and the continued commitment to military-to-military cooperation. This engagement further enhanced the long-term, mutually beneficial security relationship between the Massachusetts National Guard and Paraguay, established through the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP).
“This ceremony is not only a protocol act, it represents above all the reaffirmation of the historical ties of friendship, trust, and cooperation that unite our sister nations,” President Peña said. “It is a tangible expression of a strategic alliance, sustained in solid principles such as democracy, freedom, institutionality, and cooperative security.”
The Massachusetts National Guard’s partnership with Paraguay officially began in 2001. The partnership between Massachusetts and Paraguay was initiated under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Keefe’s father, Major General George W. Keefe, who served as the 39th adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. Like his father, Maj. Gen. Keefe recognizes the importance of military-to-military and civilian-to-civilian relationships, and both have been the foundation of the nearly 25-year mutually beneficial partnership.
“It’s more than a partnership,” said President Peña, “It’s the continuation of a proud legacy.”
For more than two decades, this partnership has evolved from focusing on improving military skills to a broad collaboration that includes cybersecurity, humanitarian response, peacekeeping, and leadership development, reflecting growing trust and shared strategic interests.
“Paraguay has a long, long history of being one of the most loyal allies and partners to the United States and it continues today,” said Maj. Gen. Keefe. “The four aspects I value most about Paraguay are its commitment to family, friendship, faith, and especially, loyalty.”
During his visit to Asunción, Maj. Gen. Keefe met with senior leaders of the Paraguayan Military Forces to discuss ongoing collaboration and support and to reaffirm the enduring partnership between Paraguay and the United States.
