TRA Honors Junior Navy Officer of the Year

Lt. Carl Comasco, Jr. receives the Theodore Roosevelt Junior Officer of the Year Award.

This award, given annually by the TRA since 1992, recognizes young officers serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) who exemplify the exceptional leadership, pride, professionalism, and dedication to duty inherent in President Theodore Roosevelt.

Lt. Comasco, 27, is assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt’s reactor department, and is being honored for his achievements in overseeing operations, training and maintenance for 120 sailors in the reactor electrical and reactor controls divisions. While the aircraft carrier was in the shipyard undergoing her midlife refueling and overhaul, Lt. Comasco also worked extensively with Newport News Shipbuilding personnel to ensure that production deadlines under his responsibility were met.

Lt. Comasco graduated in 2008 from Fordham University and was commissioned in the Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, SUNY Maritime College Unit. Prior to joining the USS Theodore Roosevelt, he served onboard USS The Sullivans. A native of Harrisburg, PA, Comasco is the son of Carl and Cheryl Comasco and is married to Victoria Comasco.

“It was a great surprise when I heard the Captain announce my name,” said Lt. Comasco. “I’m extraordinarily thankful for this recognition. President Roosevelt was known for his charismatic leadership and incredible work ethic. I try to embody those qualities as a part of my approach to life, and I think people appreciate it.”

The TRA is bestowing Lt. Comasco with the Theodore Roosevelt® Junior Officer of the Year Award as part of its 94th Annual Meeting in Buffalo, the site in 1901 where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn into office. The award is being presented by RADM P.W. “Wick” Parcells USN (Ret.), first commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt and a long-time officer and trustee of the TRA.