“General Vollmer was awarded in recognition of his leadership in Germany’s decision-making process to lead NATO’s forward presence force in Lithuania, for his top level professionalism and firm commitment to the defense of Lithuania and the entire Alliance,” the president’s office said in a press release.
“General Vollmer’s military advice and realistic perception of security threats has contributed significantly to Germany’s determination to assume the lead role in ensuring the security of our region and to send its troops to Lithuania,” it said.
Vollmer has been serving as commander of the German Field Army since 2014.
In response to Russia‘s aggressive actions in Ukraine and military buildup in the region, NATO leaders decided in July 2016 to enhance its forward presence in the three Baltic countries and Poland.
Germany is the lead nation of NATO‘s multinational battalion deployed to Lithuania in early 2017.