Duty Calls: Guard officer honored for 37 years of service Terry Brown FacebookTwitterEmail New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro pins a Family Recognition Award pin on his wife Maureen during his retirement ceremony.Eric Durr / New Yok Army National Guard New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Tagliafierro of Porters Corners, Saratoga County, has received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his 37 years of military duty before retirement. Tagliafierro also received the Order of St. Maurice, an award for excellence in infantry, and a New York State Conspicuous Service Medal. He is a veteran of two deployments to Iraq war and is authorized to wear the combat patch of the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division, the Minnesota Army National Guard's 34th Infantry Division, and the active Army's 1st Infantry Division.