Distinguished Public Service News

Austal USA hosted the christening of the future USS Oakland (LCS 24). This is the first of three U.S. Navy ships to be christened at Austal’s state-of-the-art ship manufacturing facility in 2019.Oakland is the 12th of 19 Independence-variant littoral combat ships (LCSs) Austal USA has under contract with the U.S. Navy. The ship’s sponsor, Kate Brandt, a recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest award the U.S. Navy can give to a civilian, headlined the group of officials…

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) yesterday received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy for his service in Congress and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus presented the award. “I thank our brave men and women at the Department of the Navy for this tremendous honor,” said Wicker. “I am proud my home state of Mississippi has played a strong and dynamic role in advancing the Navy’s extraordinary legacy. The Navy Distinguished…

The non-profit Coast Guard Foundation establishes the Walter Joseph Hickel, Jr. Scholarship Fund at its recent Alaska Awards dinner. “I am very honored to announce the establishment of the Walter Joseph Hickel, Jr. Scholarship Fund,” said Robert J. Flynn, chairman, Coast Guard Foundation. “This fund will provide scholarship assistance for Coast Guard families stationed in Alaska. The funds raised through the dinner helped build the Coast Guard Foundation Family Recreation Center in Kodiak…

Joins More than 30 International Maritime Industry Speakers. Clay Maitland, managing partner of International Registries, Inc., which administers the Marshall Islands Ship Registry, the third largest registry in the world, will be the keynote speaker at the SHIPPINGInsight 2012 Fleet Optimization Conference, Oct. 8-10 in Stamford, Conn. As keynoter, Maitland, a distinguished veteran in the shipping industry, will set the tone in addressing the challenges and solutions for improving ship efficiency and fleet operations – the central theme of the conference.

Robert J. Flynn Elected Chairman of the Board. ADM Thad Allen and Clay Maitland among an impressive slate of of 11 others. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that in accordance with its bylaws, a new slate of officers has been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees, beginning January 1, 2012. Robert J. Flynn was elected Chairman of the Board at the organization’s annual meeting in the fall. Joining Mr. Flynn as officers are Al J. Bernard, vice chairman; William E.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that board member, Guy Edison Clay Maitland, was the recipient of the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented by Coast Guard Commandant ADM Robert Papp, the honor for “personal and direct contributions” was bestowed following remarks at the Foundation’s 30th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, which took place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in New York City.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that its 8th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard’s Fourteenth District will take place on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Honoring local Coast Guard members who protect coastline shores from the Hawaiian Islands to Guam, the gala’s Chairman is Vic Angoco, vice president—Pacific of Matson Navigation and the Keynote Speaker is ADM Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard Commandant. Remarks will also be given by RADM Manson Brown, commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District, and Anne B. Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation.

The Ship Structure Committee (SSC) announced that Peter M. Palermo died on 20 May in Alexandria. Palermo was the Navy's Principal Member from 1976-1987. Palermo was the head of all structures at NAVSEA from the late 60's until the 80's. He was a very strong supporter of the SSC and had many of his people involved with the SSC projects. Palermo co-authored two papers from the 1975 SSC Symposium entitled, "Today's Navy - Echoes of the Past - Sounds of the Future" and "An Overview of Structural Integrity Technology." He served on the 1996 SSC 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee of the Symposium Steering Committee. He gave his speech "History of the Ship Structure Committee, Its Work and Challenges for the Future" at the 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, and a partner of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, announced the appointment of Jerry Ostermiller as the president of the National Coast Guard Museum. An accomplished museum administrator with over 25 years experience, Mr. Ostermiller will establish museum programming, develop internal infrastructure and lead capital campaign fund raising efforts for the construction of the country's newest national museum in New London, Connecticut. The United States Coast Guard is the only military service that does not currently have a national museum, which recounts the institution's history, service and missions. Mr.

The Honorable Gordon R. England, right, receives the oath of office during a short swearing in ceremony as the 73rd Secretary of the Navy. Administering the oath is Mr. John H. La Raia, Assistant for Administration to the Under Secretary of the Navy. Secretary England becomes only the second person in history to serve twice as the leader of the Navy Marine Corps Team and the first to serve in back to back terms. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser. England becomes…

Adm. Robert F. Willard, former Vice Chief of Naval Operations, salutes as he’s piped through the sideboys during a change of command ceremony for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet on board Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Willard assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet from Adm. Gary Roughead during the ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. From U.S. Adm. Robert F. Willard relieved Adm. Gary Roughead as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony held May 8 at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen presided over the ceremony, which overlooked the historic memorials of USS Arizona and USS Missouri.