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Navy Distinguished Public Service Award
American civilian award From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, established in 1951, is an award presented by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy to civilians for specific courageous or heroic acts or exceptionally outstanding service of substantial and long-term benefit to the Navy, Marine Corps, or Department of the Navy as a whole. Originally a certificate with a lapel pin, the medal was first presented in July 1951.[1] It is the highest recognition that the Secretary of the Navy may pay to a civilian not employed by the Department of the Navy.[2]
Since 1951, the prestigious medal has been awarded to only 28 recipients including Tom Cruise, George Halas, Tom Hanks, Nancy Pelosi, Joseph Rosenthal, and Steven Spielberg.[3]
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Design
The medal, designed by the United States Mint, is gold in color. The obverse has the Seal of the Navy Department, encircled by the inscription above "Department of the Navy" and below, "United States of America." The reverse has the words "Awarded to" with a blank tablet for inscription of the recipient's name, resting on a spray of laurel. Arched at the top rim of the reverse of the medal is the word "Distinguished." Horizontally, below the tablet, is the word "Public" and arched along the bottom rim is the word "Service." The medal is suspended by a ribbon using the colors of the United States Navy, half blue on the left, and half golden-yellow on the right. In addition to the medal it consists of a miniature medal, lapel bar, rosette, and a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Navy.
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Notable recipients
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Notable recipients include Joe Rosenthal, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, known for the iconic photo, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.[4]
Actor Tom Cruise received the award in 2024. Cruise was honored for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” with Top Gun and other films.[5][6] [7]Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented the 62-year-old actor at Longcross Studios near London.[8][9] “Tom Cruise has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women and families of the Navy and Marine Corps,” Del Toro said. Two of the movie star’s biggest hits, “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” celebrate the world of naval aviators. When he received the honor, Cruise said he was proud of the “extraordinary acknowledgment.” [10][11][12]
For their work on their film Saving Private Ryan, the actor Tom Hanks and director Steve Spielberg received the US Navy Distinguished Public Service award in 1999. The award was presented on Veterans Day to honor the film's positive portrayal of U.S. service members. The Navy invited Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks aboard the USS Normandy at Port Everglades, south of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to bestow its highest civilian honor for their work. [13]. Under-Secretary of the Navy Jerry Hultin said Spielberg and Hanks had "dramatically increased the American public's awareness and appreciation of the sacrifices made by US veterans during the battle of Normandy". During the ceremony, which was part of Veteran Day events in the US, Spielberg and Hanks thanked the veterans for the sacrifices they made for the country. [14][15]
Cameraman Christopher Jackson received the award for rescuing Marine Corps Sgt Courtney Rauch from a burning Humvee in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in August 2008.[16] [17]While filming for LtCol (Ret) Oliver North’s show on the Fox News Channel, the Humvee in which Jackson and Rauch were riding was struck by an IED, knocking Sgt Rauch unconscious. Although injured[18] in the blast, Jackson pulled Rauch from the vehicle to safety. MajGen Paul Lefebvre presented Jackson with the award January 24, 2009, at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq.[19][20][21]
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was bestowed the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at a ceremony in the Capitol in 2013. “The courage of our men and women in uniform is what makes our democracy possible, and the Distinguished Public Service Award is truly a tribute to the work of Congress to honor the service and sacrifice of our Navy and all of our service members,” Pelosi said. “This award will hold a place of pride and prominence in my heart, and it will inspire me to always stand with Secretary Mabus, our officers, our sailors and Marines to ensure the security of our country and the strength of our military.”[22]
Sybil Stockdale, wife of the late Vice Admiral James Stockdale, was honored with the award for her work to publicize the mistreatment of POWs and campaign for their families during the Vietnam War. She co-founded the National League of Families. She is the only wife of an active-duty officer ever to have received this award.[23]
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The late former Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa) received the award in 2009 for his “courageous leadership, vision, and loyalty to the men and women of the Department of the Navy." At the time of his award Murtha was the influential chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.[24]
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) received the award in 2013. Frelinghuysen, also a sitting member of the Defense Subcommittee, was recognized for his "long and selfless service to the nation’s sailors and Marines [that] ensured they were provided the resources necessary to support and defend the nation’s interests around the globe."[24]
Capt. John “GiddyUp” Bunch received the award in 2018.[25][26] Bunch was honored for his timeless devotion and support of US Navy & US Marines returning from combat from 2005 onwards. 3,993 US Troops have received free R&R’s, 103 free weddings, Same Day PTSD Counseling, and direct assistance with The Fallen. Bunch was also awarded The Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. Total benefits exceed 18.3 Million Dollars. Bunch, a US Marine Officer served from 1969-1976.
Acclaimed ocean explorer and founder of Lost 52 Project, Tim Taylor was bestowed the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy in 2021. The medal was awarded in a private ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington DC. Mr. Taylor and his "Lost 52 Project" have discovered and documented seven WWII Submarines and the final resting place of 288 servicemen. [27]
Chicago Bears owner George Halas was given the award in 1956.[28] [29]Halas served as an ensign in the United States Navy during World War I. Halas entered the United States Navy again after the advent of World War II in 1942, with the rank of lieutenant commander. He served overseas for 20 months under the command of Admiral Chester Nimitz. His duties were supporting the welfare and recreational activities of the Seventh Fleet.
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References
External links
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