Letters of Commendation

“The Department of Justice commends Sergeant Bannon for his courage and for his integrity. He is truly one of your City’s and this State’s finest police officers. As Chief Law Officer of the State of California, it is a matter of considerable pride to know that Joe Bannon has chosen to serve the citizens of this state who reside in San Francisco as an officer of the law. Please know that Sergeant Bannon is held in the highest esteem by the men and women of the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice who have worked with him.”

Daniel E. Lundgren – Attorney General, State of California

“Dear Special Agent Bannon. Please accept my congratulations as you retire from your years of service with the State of California. Throughout your career, you have earned the respect and admiration of your friends and colleagues. Your dedication and expertise has proven to be a valuable resource to the California Criminal Intelligence Bureau and the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. I thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the California Department of Justice and to the people of the State of California.” 

Bill Lockyer – Attorney General, State of California

 “Grand Master Bannon. I have been an instructor for the military for the past 25 years. I say this with all sincerity. It was an honor to be your special operations student. You are by far the best teacher I have ever experienced throughout my entire career. Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge with us."   

Colonel Charles P. – US Army Special Forces

“Dear GM Bannon, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have attended your Dim Mak and Edged Weapons Class. You have a great manner in your presentation of this very serious and ancient Chinese art. You have taken complex medical and scientific concepts of both Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Western Allopathic Medicine, and combined them together ingeniously in a manner that someone with no medical or even martial arts background for that matter, can fully understand. Your comical sense of humor and real-life experience at the highest levels of danger adds to the learning process a great deal. You have a concept of the martial arts that needs to be shared. I know that you have worked long and hard, but my friend, your art needs to be passed on. You have a gift that others would kill for. We would be honored if you would bring this art to our training facility."

 Allen A. – Former CIA Operative

"Joe, thank you very much for the very lively, informative, and fun seminar. My whole family and I felt that this was one of those "don't miss" classes. We all left the seminar feeling confident, that should the need arise; we could defend ourselves without wasting "reaction time" or being "frozen" by the adrenaline shock. Your method of teaching "concept" as compared with "technique" is much more efficient - and effective - than worrying about stances, holds, etc; especially during those critical three-tenths of a second when an attack is either won or lost. I have, and will continue, to recommend this seminar to everyone, regardless of his or her fitness or training level. Thank you again.”

Dale L. June – Former U.S. Secret Service Agent, White House Detail

“To Commander Joseph ‘GI Joe’ Bannon – One of the baddest men to walk the earth. It was an honor working for you. A warrior considers himself already dead; so there is nothing to lose. The worst has already happened to him, therefore he is clear and calm; judging him by his acts or words, one would never suspect that he has witnessed everything. Sir, you are the true definition of a warrior. It was an honor and privilege being under your command. Stay safe and enjoy retirement.”                                  

Your Brothers in Blue and Green – LAPD / US Marine Corp.

Exemplary Service Award – "Presented to Special Agent – Tactical Commander Joseph F. Bannon for your extraordinary efforts, above and beyond the call of duty, in the coordination of the executive protection for the Attorney General, during the Democratic National Convention held in Los Angeles, California – August 2000." 

Office of the Attorney General - Department of Justice

Mayoral Proclamation – "Be it resolved that I Gavin Newsom, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, California – on the occasion of Joe Bannon’s 50th birthday do hereby officially proclaim November 14, 2006 as “Joe Bannon Day” forever recorded in the archives of the City and County of San Francisco, California.”

Mayor (Now California Governor) Gavin Newsom, City and County of San Francisco

Veterans of Foreign Wars Award – "Be it known that Sergeant Joseph F. Bannon of the San Francisco Police Department is hereby recognized as having achieved first place in the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Department of California, National Exemplary Law Enforcement Officer Recognition Award 1994 – 1995."

Commander Richard R. Paguite, California State Capitol

Induction Letter to the United States Martial Artist Hall of Fame – "To all who shall see these presents, greetings: This is to certify that Joseph F. Bannon has been inducted into the United States Martial Artist Hall of Fame under the category of – “Surgical Strike System of Shaolin Dim Mak," Diamond Life Achievement Award 2024."

Supreme Grandmaster William A. Rankin, 10th Dan Black Belt

(Founder – United States Martial Artist Association)

"GM Bannon, I can’t express how glad I am to have had the opportunity to attend your Surgical Strike Seminar. It stands at the top of a list of instruction - including special military and executive protection training that I have had the opportunity to receive during my lifetime. Your knowledge of Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts, combined with your life experiences, were truly remarkable. Even more impressive was your ability to transfer years of experience and technique into simple concepts that anyone could comprehend, and more importantly, immediately apply. In addition, your command presence and speaking style kept me on the edge of my seat. Your references to the Yin ~ Yang and nature of the other side, i.e. the healing ways and peaceful options, made all the difference.”

 James S. – Former United States Marine, Afghanistan