The man chosen to take the helm at one of Norfolk's leading charities will receive the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in today's UK Military Operational Honours List.
Max Marriner, who lives in North Norfolk, gets the award for his work in overseeing the final stages of Britain's military withdrawal from Iraq.
The former Brigadier takes over as chief executive at the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind in May, responsible for a charity that helps 20,000 people in the county who suffer from sight loss.
Mr Marriner, 54, was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment in 1977, and became the last Commander of British Forces Iraq in Baghdad, leaving the country after nearly three years in December.
The award recognises meritorious service during, or in support of, operations.
He said: 'I'm delighted that the work of the service personnel who stayed behind in Iraq to train and help the Iraqi forces has been recognised,
'I'm looking forward to my new challenge of helping the NNAB continue its outstanding work with the blind and partially sighted community of Norfolk.'
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