Great Trail Council, Scouting America

The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of Scouting America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program. The award is made by the National Court of Honor and the recipient need not be a registered member of Scouting America.

The Silver Buffalo Award was created in 1925[ based on the Silver Wolf Award of the Boy Scout Association. The buffalo pendant was designed by A. Phimister Proctor. A red-white-red ribbon bar was introduced in 1934 for informal uniform wear. In 1946, ribbon bars were replaced by the current square knot insignia. Read the wikipedia entry here.

Great Trail Council Recipients

Five Persons from the Great Trail Council have been honored with the Silver Buffalo

David Weyrick 2026

The Great Trail Council is proud to announce that David Weyrick has been selected by the National Court of Honor to receive the Silver Buffalo, Scouting America’s highest award.

David Weyrick, an Eagle Scout from Akron, is a nationally recognized leader in Scouting, known for his work strengthening relationships across Councils, Territories, and National programs. A pastor and educator with a Ph.D. in adult learning, he brings a unique perspective on how adults learn, connect, and lead. His guiding principle, “It’s all about relationships,” has shaped his work with Commissioners, Key 3s, professionals, and volunteers throughout the country.

Over the past 15 years, David has taught at Universities of Scouting, Philmont Training Center, Jamborees, and national events, equipping leaders to build trust through being known, liked, and trusted. He developed and led the first national Philmont Training Center conferences focused on Scouting Relationships, including specialized conferences for Relationship Advocates and Commissioners, helping leaders strengthen retention and unit health through meaningful connection.

A longtime Scouting chaplain, David has served at multiple National and World Jamborees and was selected to preach at major Protestant worship services, where he emphasized the call to serve others through positive relationships. He also contributed to national initiatives, including PTC Conference Chair Guidelines, the Psychology of Scouting Conference, and the development of STAR Week, an innovative collaboration focused on strengthening trust and authenticity in Scouting relationships.

David is the author of more than 70 articles on relationships in Scouting and continues to serve nationally through alumni leadership, training development, and mentorship. He previously received the Council’s Silver Beaver and the former Central Region’s Silver Antelope Awards. He chaired the 100th Anniversary of Camp Manatoc in Peninsula, OH, served as a past Lodge and Section Chief of Marnoc lodge, and is a Centurion in the Order of the Arrow. David remains committed to helping Scouters build the connections that change lives.

Ned C. Gold, Jr. 2020

Ned C. Gold began his Scouting Tenure as a Cub Scout in Santa Fe, NM, at age 8. Her was instrumental in bringing the BSA art collection, including the Norman Rockwell paintings, out of storage and onto display at the Medici Museum of Art in Warren, OH. Gold Jr.'s greatest achievement as a Scouter was founding and organizing the Philmont Staff Association.

A reciepient of the NESA Ourstanding Eagle Scout Awars, Philmont Staff Association Silver Sage Award, and William H. Spurgeon III Award, he also received the Silver Antelop and silver Beaver Awareds, and is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. As a managing attorney of his law firm and Air Force judge advocate, Ned served the Great Trail Council, Greater Western Reserve Council, and Wester Reserve Council Executive Boards and was Council President from 1978-1981 of the Western Reserve Council in Trumbull County.

Elizabeth G. Knight 1976

Betty Knight had been the widow of Elisworth Augustus, President of the BSA. She had an extensive career of community service and was presented the Silver Fawn by the Cleveland Council. For her lifetime of service to youth and for significant financial support provided to various facects of Scouting, the silver Buffalo Award was presented to her in 1976.

Edwin J. (EJ) Thomas 1954

Eddie Thomas, future president and Chairman of Goodyear, entered Scouting as a boy in 1913 and was a leader from 1917 to 1919. He was a member of the executive board of the Akron Area Council form many years starting in 1936, and was a vice president in 1943. He became a member of the National Executive Board in 1953 and Chairman in 1960. In all of these Scouting positions, he was an enthusiastic supporter of Explorer Scouting. For his distinguished service to boyhood of the Nation, the Silver Buffalo Award was presente3d to Edwin Joel Thomas in 1956.

Paul W. Litchfield 1945

Paul Litchfield, who guided Goodyear to becoming the largest rubber company in the world, was a strong supporter of the Boy Scout movement. His efforts provided a legacy of support and goodwill for Scouting in Akron and beyond. through the many Goodyear plants and through Air Scouting, which he promoted. This effort for the betterment of youth was recognized by presentation of the Silver Buffalo Award to Paul Weeks Litchfield in 1945.

Scouting America Silver Buffalo Page

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