Sea Service Awards Descriptions

Admiral Claude V. Ricketts was a selfless leader of devoted dedication to the Naval Service and his country. Rising from enlisted status to the highest rank in the Navy, Admiral Ricketts was recognized for his inspirational leadership by all that knew him. As a sailor, strategist, and statesman, Admiral Ricketts gained respect for his determination and positive actions to preserve the maritime strength of the nation. This award for inspirational leadership is to be awarded to a Navy enlisted person who, by traditional performance of duty, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and the professional competence required by his or her rank (2 awards: E-7 and above; E-6 and below).

CAPTAIN WINIFRED QUICK COLLINS AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Captain Winifred Quick Collins, former Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, provided inspirational leadership and performed her demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. The example she gave by her personal high ideals and devotion to the Navy and the nation is worthy of emulation. This award for inspirational leadership is to be awarded to a woman officer and an enlisted woman whose exceptional leadership and performance in their military duties have been accomplished by outstanding contributions that have brought them recognition and reflected credit on women in the naval service (2 awards – 1 officer, 1 enlisted).

LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOHN A. LEJEUNE AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, thirteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps and often referred to as the greatest of all Leathernecks, during his more than 40 years of service with the Marine Corps served on the high seas aboard ships of the Navy, participated in many campaigns, and led the famed Second Division (Army) in World War I. He served as Commandant of the Marine Corps from June 1920 to March 1929. His spirit of personal sacrifice, patriotic devotion, and courage further added to his glory as an inspirational leader. This award for inspirational leadership is to be awarded to a Marine Corps officer who has made an outstanding contribution to the high standards of leadership traditional in the naval service.

GENERAL GERALD C. THOMAS AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP

General Gerald C. Thomas, the first Marine in history, who rose from the enlisted ranks to retire as a four-star general, was self educated, fought in three wars, and was one of the most respected officers ever produced by the Corps. His spirit of personal sacrifice, patriotic devotion, and boundless courage further added to his glory as an inspirational leader. This award for inspirational leadership is to be awarded to a Marine Corps enlisted man or woman who, by traditional performance of duty, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and the professional competence required of his or her rank.

REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. PARSONS AWARD FOR SCIENTIFIC and TECHNICAL PROGRESS

Rear Admiral William S. Parson, through his searching awareness of and dedication to all aspects of scientific and technical advances, was responsible to a marked degree for ensuring that our Navy remained in operational consonance with the ever-shifting and increasing demands of the changing world. This award for scientific and technical progress is to be awarded to a Navy or Marine Corps officer, enlisted person, or civilian who has made an outstanding contribution in any field of science that has furthered the development and progress of the Navy or Marine Corps.

STEPHEN DECATUR AWARD FOR OPERATIONAL COMPETENCE

The bold and daring resolution of Stephen Decatur gave birth to an operational competence that still remains a guiding star for our Naval Service. This award for operational competence is to be awarded to a Navy officer or enlisted person who has made an outstanding personal contribution in the course of actual naval operations that has advanced the readiness and competence of the naval service.

GENERAL HOLLAND M. SMITH AWARD FOR OPERATIONAL COMPETENCE

The bold, daring and imaginative leadership of Holland Smith as the father of modern U.S. amphibious warfare led to the establishment of an operational competence which still provides guidance for our Naval Service. This award for operational competence is to be awarded to a Marine Corps officer or enlisted person who has made an outstanding personal contribution that has advanced the readiness and competence of the naval service in the course of actual operations.

ALFRED THAYER MAHAN AWARD FOR LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT

Alfred Thayer Mahan, in formulating his doctrine of mastery of the sea and through his chronicles of naval theory and history, has endowed this country with a profound heritage. His writings provide vital stimulus and guidance to those who hearken to the call of the sea and those who share in the defense of our nation. This award for literary achievement is to be awarded to a Navy officer, Marine Corps officer, enlisted person or civilian who has made a notable literary contribution that has advanced the knowledge of the importance of sea power in the United States.

ROBERT M. THOMPSON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP

Robert M. Thompson, courageous Father of the Navy League, related with patriotic urgency the compelling need for U. S. sea power. His clarion message has served as an inspirational reminder of the importance of constant vigilance in maintaining the nation’s maritime strength. This award for outstanding civilian leadership is to be awarded to a civilian, government official, retired Navy or Marine Corps officer or retired enlisted person who has made a personal contribution to the furthering of the importance of sea power through his or her efforts as a civilian. (Civilian nominees for this award do not have to be Navy or Marine Corps employees.)

THE HONORABLE J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II AWARD FOR ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

As Secretary of the Navy, J. William Middendorf II provided outstanding leadership in furthering the national defense and naval/maritime policies of the United States government, providing a personal and professional example, which few could equal and none could surpass, but all should emulate. This award for engineering excellence is to be awarded to a Navy petty officer who, by traditional performance of duty, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and the professional competence required while attached to a deployed ship of the operating fleet.

ADMIRAL BEN MOREELL AWARD FOR LOGISTICS COMPETENCE

Admiral Ben Moreell is remembered for his exceptionally meritorious service to the United States Government in World War II whereby, through the exercise of extraordinary foresight, judgment, initiative, and energy, he directed the expansion of the Naval Shore Establishment in the United States and the building of advanced bases overseas. He displayed great originality and exceptional capacity for bold innovations to the end that the fleet received support in degree and kind unprecedented in the history of naval warfare. This award for logistics competence is to be awarded to a Navy or Marine Corps officer and a Navy or Marine Corps enlisted person who has made an outstanding personal contribution that has advanced the logistics readiness and competence of the naval service (2 awards – 1 officer, 1 enlisted).

THE NAVAL INTELLIGENCE FOUNDATION AWARD FOR OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT

The purpose of this award is to advance knowledge and recognize achievement in the art and science of naval and maritime intelligence, and to develop in our citizens an understanding and appreciation of the importance of intelligence activities. This award advances the Navy League’s mission of education and support for those serving in a professional field which is so vital to the success of sea service operations. The award is presented to that officer of the sea services in the grade of 0-4, 0-5, or 0-6 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in providing excellence in operational intelligence support to the fleet. Nominations are solicited from Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard fleet and shore-based commands, and the recipient is selected by a Board appointed by the Director of Naval Intelligence.

THE CAPTAIN ARTHUR L. JOHNSON AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Named for the Master of the SS Virginia Dare who in 1942 bravely and successfully fought in a blazing battle lasting for seven days and nights, it is awarded to a Military Sealift Command civil service licensed officer in the deck or engine departments or staff officer in the supply department who has made significant and innovative contributions to the American maritime team.

THE ABLE SEAMAN OSCAR CHAPPELL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MARITIME STEWARDSHIP

Named for the Able Seaman on SS Dixie Arrow who showed heroism beyond the call of duty, it is awarded to a military sealift command civil service unlicensed crew member who displays selfless dedication to shipmates. This award for outstanding maritime stewardship is to be awarded to a Military Sealift Command civil service unlicensed crewmember who displays selfless dedication to shipmates.