At the New York Stock Exchange last night, 30 Medal of Honor Recipients participated in a gala honoring Austin, Texas attorney and philanthropist Frank Denius who received the Circle of Honor award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Circle of Honor Award,” said Denius in a video accepting the award. “I accept this wonderful award on behalf of all the men I served with in the 30th ID, Old Hickory.”
Denius, a World War II veteran with the U.S. Army’s 30th Infantry Division, served as a fire control instrument officer and fought in many key battles to include St. Lo, Mortain, the Sigfried Line and the Battle of the Bulge. For his combat action, Denius received four Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts.
“Frank Denius epitomizes the spirit of the Circle of Honor Award,” said Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor Recipient and co-chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. “His steadfast work to better his community and to give back to the University of Texas and Texas A&M through his family foundation are examples for all of us to follow.”
“Hosting the Medal of Honor Recipients at the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Circle of Honor Gala is our favorite event of the year,” said John Tuttle, Global Head of Listings at the New York Stock Exchange. “We work everyday at NYSE to make people’s lives better but we can only do that because of the service and sacrifice of our Medal of Honor Recipients, veterans and members of the military who guarantee we have a free, safe and secure country.”
After his military service, Denius earned a law degree from the University of Texas and worked for the Austin-based law firm Looney, Clark and Moorhead for 30 years. He then went into private practice and represented utility and oil and gas companies before the Texas Railroad Commission. Denius is also the former president and CEO of the Southern Union Company, a Texas-based natural gas, utility and energy resources company. He still practices law representing utility and oil and gas companies.
“The Circle of Honor Award honors and recognizes American citizens who have made profound contributions to our Nation and way of life,” said Louis Chênevert, Foundation co-chairman. “Through a lifetime of placing others first, recipients epitomize the principles of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism.”
Since 2000, Denius has been president of the Cain Foundation which has funded fine arts and athletics facilities as well as scholars programs and endowed chairs at the University of Texas and Texas A&M.