Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford awarded IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot today with the Legion of Merit, commander degree.

The unexpected medal was given in front of the Pentagon, in Washington D.C., to honor Eizenkot’s “exceptionally meritorious service.”

The award was a “surprise,” the IDF says.

Eisenkot is on an official visit to the United States. He is there for strategic meetings with members of the US military, as well as to check on the future Israeli fleet of F-35 fighter jets being manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The F-35 Lightning IIs are set to be delivered later this year.

The commander degree is the second highest level of the Legion of Merit award, following chief commander.