Captain Hatixhe Çollaku, the first Albanian-American woman to command the New Jersey Army National Guard’s only Military Intelligence Company, has just been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal—one of the highest recognitions in the U.S. Army.

The medal was awarded for her exceptional leadership and service while commanding Delta Company of the 104th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, from September 2021 to October 2023. In that role, Captain Çollaku distinguished herself as a model officer, praised for empowering her soldiers and advancing the unit’s mission with dedication and discipline.

Originally born in Albania, Çollaku moved to the U.S. at a young age and has been breaking barriers ever since. Her historic promotion as the first female Company Commander of this elite unit marked a major milestone for both women in uniform and the Albanian-American community.

She previously shared her story with the U.S. Embassy in Albania, where she spoke about her journey, military service, and pride in her roots.