CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- CAMP H.M. SMITH - Corporal Luis R. Agostini, a Marine Forces Pacific combat correspondent, was recognized as the Department of Defense's top new journalist May 22, winning the coveted Thomas Jefferson Outstanding New Writer of the Year award.
Agostini, a Bronx, N.Y., native, was chosen among talented journalists from each of the other armed services at the Defense Information School, Ft. George Meade, Md.
The award is given annually to a military correspondent who has been working on a newspaper staff for less than one year and has excelled in his or her duties as a military journalist.
Each candidate submits five articles that cover three different categories such as news, sports, features and photojournalism.
The stories Agostini submitted included a historical feature on the Chosin Few Aloha Chapter; a sports personality feature on 1st Sgt. Shelly Sergeant of 1st Radio Bn.; a feature on the recovery efforts of Central Identification Lab, Hawaii; a Combat Service Support Group 3 basketball tournament that raised funds for the Marine Corps ball; and a news article about Marines from 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines attending Military Police Academy.
Headquarters Marine Corps' Division of Public Affairs selects the Outstan-ding New Writer of the Year to represent the Marines in the Thomas Jefferson Awards.
Originally stationed here, Agostini was temporarily assigned to MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay's Public Affairs Office as part of the Fleet Assistance Program. After two months, he returned to Camp Smith to work for MarForPac, while still contributing significantly to the newspaper.
After receiving the news of his award, Agostini was content but remained steadfast and devoted to continuing his reputation of excellence.
"My job presented me with a great opportunity to tell the story of the Marines, Sailors and their families on Marine Corps Base Hawaii," reflected Agostini. "What could be better than to be recognized as the Outstanding New Writer of the Year?"