Latest NOUS Awards

Annual NOUS Awards

In furtherance of its mission, the Naval Order presents annual awards.

Who is Eligible for Our Awards?

George Dewey Award

Any United States civilian eligible for Regular membership in the Naval Order, whose record for service sets him/her apart among his/her peers, is deemed eligible for the “Admiral of the Navy George Dewey Award.” The period of eligibility is not an issue for this award. It is assumed that the awardee will make every effort to accept this award in person. Each local Commandery may submit the name of only one candidate for consideration each year. Each submission shall be accompanied by a brief biographical sketch which will be circulated for voting purposes.

Distinguished Sea Service Award

At its Centennial Congress in 1990 the Naval Order established a Distinguished Sea Service Award (DSSA) to each year honor a recently retired senior officer of one of the sea services who, over a total career, so distinguished himself/herself and the Naval Services, that he/she should be singled out as one who stands "First Among Firsts."

Distinguished Sea Service Award - Senior Enlisted

In 2014, the Naval Order established a Distinguished Sea Service Award - Senior Enlisted (DSSA-SE) to each year honor a recently retired senior enlisted member of one of the sea services who, over a total career, so distinguished himself/herself and the Naval Services, that he/she should be singled out as one who stands "First Among Firsts.”

Rear Admiral Thomas F. Brown III Memorial Award

The RADM Thomas F. Brown III Memorial Award is presented by the Naval Order and selected by the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) to the person being recognized as Pilot of the Year.

Rear Admiral Thurston J. James Memorial Award

The Naval Flight Officer student achieving the highest overall flight and academic grades during the preceding calendar year as determined by the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA).

Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature

The prize is named for the late Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, a Harvard University history professor widely considered to be America’s most distinguished naval historian. The award is administered and presented by the New York Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States. The finalists and winner are selected by a distinguished committee of members of the New York Commandery. Books may be recommended for consideration by members of the Naval Order of the United States but must be nominated for Committee consideration by a Companion of the New York Commandery. There are detailed and stringent standards that must be met by the author and the work and the Committee follows set guidelines in considering the nominees.

US Coast Guard Academy Junior Instructor Award

Annually since 1989, the Naval Order of the United States, in cooperation with the Superintendent of the Academy, sponsors the Coast Guard Academy Junior Officer Award to recognize the exceptional personal, professional and academic leadership, and commitment to learning exhibited by a junior officer of the rotating faculty.  The presentation is made at the Academy’s Convocation Ceremony when the entire Corps of Cadets assemble with Academy faculty and staff, guests, and friends to begin the new academic year.  This award is most distinctive because the recipient is chosen by the Corps of Cadets.

The Nimitz Leadership Award (Texas Commandery)

Since 1986, the Texas Commandery has recognized the leadership of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz by presenting an award in his memory. Admiral Nimitz’s outstanding leadership qualities are examples of those qualities for which the Texas Commandery was chartered. The Nimitz Leadership Award is presented annually to a notable leader of the U. S. sea services in a particular field of endeavor, for a particular achievement, or for past accomplishments that cover more than one year of service.  Any member of the Texas Commandery can nominate a candidate for the award.  The final selection is made by the Nimitz Leadership Award Committee.

The Lieutenant Commander Lee W. Douglas Memorial Award

As Recorder General from 1982 through 1995, LCDR Lee Wayland Douglas, USN (Ret.) rendered singular service to local commanderies and individual companions. His reports were diligently documented; his minutes comprehensive and complete. Gifted with exceptional talent for writing and research, his legacy includes: Authorship of the first Naval Order Operations Manual, 1986; Publication of the Centennial Register of Companions 1890 – 1993; Assembly of the Naval Order Operations Manual Revised 1993; Research and design of the new Register of all Naval Order Companions. This award is given to a commandery in recognition of outstanding local effort and success achieved in one or more of the following: Membership Growth, Internal Communications, Annual Congress Support, and/or National Commandery Initiatives. In 2019, the Lee W. Douglas Award was limited to Commanderies with over fifty companions.

The Captain Jan Armstrong Memorial Award

The Captain Jan Armstrong Memorial Award was established in 2019 to recognize excellence in commanderies with fifty or fewer companions. Captain Jan Vincent Armstrong, USN (Ret.), gave remarkable service to the Naval Order in responding to the emergency caused by the sudden loss of LCDR Lee Douglas in 1995 by volunteering to serve as both Recorder General and Registrar General until a suitable replacement could be found for the position of Registrar General. Captain Armstrong’s dedication to the task and cheerfulness in fulfilling the duties of these key positions inspired others to volunteer their service to the Naval Order. Captain Armstrong was recognized for her extraordinary service by being elected as the first female commander of the San Francisco Commandery. This award is given to a commandery in recognition of outstanding local effort and success achieved in one or more of the following: Membership Growth, Internal Communications, Annual Congress Support, and/or National Commandery Initiatives.

Past Rear Admiral Thomas F. Brown III Memorial Award Honorees

Past Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature Honorees

Past Rear Admiral Thurston J. James Memorial Award Honorees

  • 2022 LTJG Charles P. Mahoney USN

  • 2021 LTJG Brandon T. Chall, USN

  • 2020 ENS Louise S. Zhou, USN

  • 2019 LTJG Jared M. Hachmeister, USN

  • 2018 LTJG Nicole J. Nordlie, USN

  • 2015 LTJG Phong Nguyen USN

  • 2013 LTJG Andrea R. Kaltenbach

  • 2010 LTJG Adam “Oompa” Jackson

  • 2009 Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael A. McLaughlin

  • 2008 Capt. Edward Holtz, USM

  • 2007 LTJG Erik Halvorson

  • 1990 LTJG Chris Eagle, USN

  • 1981 LTJG Kevin R. Doport, USN

  • 1973 LTJG David Leestma, USN

Past US Coast Guard Academy Junior Instructor Award Honorees

  • 2023 LT John Groen, USCG

  • 2022 LT Julin Blanco, USCG

  • 2021 LT Derek Perry, USCG

  • 2020 (not awarded - Covid)

  • 2019 LT Jamie Chicoine, USCG

  • 2018 LT Dana Dougherty, USCG

  • 2017 LT Patrick T. Plummer, USCG

  • 2016 LT Tyler E. Kelley, USCG

  • 2015 LT Sean A. Munnis, USCG

  • 2014 LT Emily M. Gibbons, USCG

  • 2013 LT Andrew Halvorson, USCG

  • 2012 LT Tom S. Crowley, USCG

  • 2011 LCDR Brian J. McSorley, USCG

  • 2010 LT Nicole M. Tesoniero, USCG

  • 2009 LCDR Maurice D. Murphy, USCG

  • 2008 LT James J. Smith, USCG

  • 2007 LT Thomas W. Denucci, USCG

  • 2006 LCDR John C. Dettleff, USCG

  • 2005 LCDR Michael E. Senecal, USCG

  • 2004 LCDR Wayne Mackenzie, USCG

  • 2003 LCDR Glenn M. Sulmasy, USCG

  • 2002 LCDR Timothy J. Cimpaglio, USCG

  • 2001 LCDR Jonathan D. Heller, USCG

  • 2000 LCDR John C. O’Connor, USCG

  • 1999 LT Eric P. Kowack, USCG

  • 1998 LT Todd Garlin, USCG

  • 1997 LCDR David J. Martin, USCG

  • 1996 LT Michael R. Hicks, USCG

  • 1995 LT Eric C. Jones, USCG

  • 1994 LT Thomas Kowenhoven, USCG

  • 1993 LT Paul E. Deveau, USCG

  • 1992 LTJG John C. O’Connor, USCG

  • 1991 LCDR Patrick T. Kelly, USCG

  • 1990 LT Thomas F. Atkin, USCG

  • 1989 LT Robert R. Albright, II, USCG

Past Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Leadership Award Honorees

  • 2023 RADM Patrick D. Hall, USN (Ret.)

  • 2022 LCDR Bryan Stern, USN (Ret.); Project Dynamo

  • 2021 CDR Eugene "Gene" Tulich, USCG (Ret.)

  • 2020 RADM Grace M. Hopper

  • 2019 CAPT. W.O. King, Jr.

  • 2018 RADM Paul F. Thomas, USCG

  • 2017 ADM William H. McRaven, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command

  • 2016 CAPT Norman “Dusty” Kleiss, Navy Cross/DFC Midway Dive Bombers

  • 2015 ADM Patrick M. Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Commander U. S. Pacific Fleet

  • 2014 VADM David B. Robinson, Cdr., Naval Surface Forces, U. S. Pacific Fleet

  • 2013 RADM James A. Watson, IV, USCG, President/COO ABS, American Division

  • 2012 VADM Albert H. Konetzni, Jr., Deputy Commander U. S. Fleet Forces Command and U. S. Atlantic Fleet

  • 2011 RADM W. W. Pickavance, Jr., Superintendent, Texas Maritime Academy

  • 2010 RADM Clay W. G. Fulcher, NASA Space Flight Scientist

  • 2009 Gordon R. England, DEPSECDEF & SECNAV

  • 2008 CAPT Carter B. Conlin, Commander General, Naval Order of the U. S.

  • 2007 ADM Robert E. Kramek, Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard

  • 2006 GEN M. W. Hagee, Commandant, U. S. Marine Corps

  • 2005 BGEN D. L. Hill, Texas Air National Guard & Flying Tiger

  • 2004 RADM L. A. Hopkins, Battle of Midway

  • 2003 MGEN J. E. Livingston, USMC, Medal of Honor

  • 2002 VADM James B. Stockdale, Medal of Honor

  • 2001 B. R. Inman, Director of Naval Intelligence

  • 2000 LT T. R. Norris, Medal of Honor

  • 1999 CAPT D. C. Leestma, Astronaut

  • 1998 CAPT Carl V. Ragsdale, Commander Emeritus, Texas Commandery

  • 1997 ADM R. J. Kelly, CINCPAC

  • 1996 ADM J. A. Lyons, Jr., CINCPAC

  • 1995 BGEN R. E. Gale, USMC, Medal of Honor

  • 1994 LT M. E. Thornton, Medal of Honor

  • 1993 CAPT J. W. Young, Astronaut Space Medal of Honor

  • 1992 CDR H. L. Buell, Carrier Aviation Pioneer

  • 1991 COL M. Paige, USMC, Medal of Honor

  • 1990 RADM J. C. Lemoyne, Special Warfare Pioneer

  • 1989 RADM J. D. Ramage, Carrier Aviation Pioneer

  • 1988 RADM S. D. Griggs, Astronaut

  • 1987 RADM F. N. Smith, Chief of Naval Reserve

  • 1986 John F. Lehman, SECNAV

Lieutenant Commander Lee W. Douglas Memorial Award Honorees