This message is posted with the originator's permission.
R 151256Z MAY 07 ZUI ASN-A00135000002 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-37// TO ALCOAST BT UNCLAS //N01650// ALCOAST 244/07 COMDTNOTE 1650 SUBJ: 2006 FIREMAN FIRST CLASS PAUL CLARK BOAT FORCES ENGINEERING AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT 1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MK1 MATTHEW THORNTON OF COAST GUARD STATION KENOSHA HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE WINNER OF THE 2006 FIREMAN FIRST CLASS PAUL CLARK BOAT FORCES ENGINEERING AWARD. THIS PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL AWARD RECOGNIZES A COAST GUARD BOAT FORCES ENGINEER WHO DEMONSTRATED SUSTAINED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP. 2. MK1 THORNTON IS SERVING AS STATION KENOSHAS ENGINEERING PETTY OFFICER. HIS SUPERB LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONAL ABILITIES, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY WERE CRUCIAL TO ENABLING HIS UNIT TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STATE OF READINESS AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS. MK1 THORNTON EPITOMIZES A BOAT FORCES PROFESSIONAL. 3. AS THE ENGINEERING PETTY OFFICER, MK1 THORNTON FLAWLESSLY MANAGED A 12 PERSON ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE OF THE STATIONS UTILITY BOAT AND DEFENDER CLASS BOAT. A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL, HIS TECHNICAL EXPERTISE WAS FREQENTLY CALLED UPON BY SECTOR LAKE MICHIGAN AND NINTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT TO PROVIDE INPUT ON VARIOUS BOAT FORCES ENGINEERING ISSUES. IMPARTING HIS VAST KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES, MK1 THORNTONS TRAINING DIRECTLY RESULTED IN THE SUCCESSFUL CERTIFICATION OF 18 BOAT CREW POSITIONS, INCLUDING THREE NEW BOAT ENGINEERS. JUST DAYS PRIOR TO A READINESS AND STANDARDIZATION ASSESSMENT, HE EFFECTIVELY EXECUTED AN ENGINE CHANGE-OUT ON THE UNITS 41 FOOT UTB AND LED HIS ENGINEERING TEAM AS THEY TACKLED ENGINEERING CASUALTIES THAT INCLUDED ALTERNATOR, STARTER, RAW WATER PUMP, AND HOT START FAILURES. MK1 THORNTONS PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTED LARGELY TO THE UNITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE SUMNER I. KIMBALL AWARD, EARNING AN IMPRESSIVE 48 OUT OF 50 POINTS. HE RECEIVED HIGH PRAISE FROM THE SECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION TEAM FOR THE OUTSTANDING MATERIEL CONDITION OF THE STATION, CITING HIS ORGANIZATION, ORDERLINESS, AND SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INNOVATIVE SAFETY PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET AND TAG-OUT PROGRAMS. MK1 THORNTON EMBODIED THE COAST GUARDS CORE VALUES THROUGH HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO COAST GUARD BOAT FORCES. 4. EACH YEAR IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SELECT ONLY ONE RECIPIENT FROM THE SUPERB SLATE OF PETTY OFFICERS WHO ARE NOMINATED FOR THIS AWARD. HONORABLE MENTION GOES TO THE FOLLOWING FINALISTS: A. MK1 RYAN LEWIS, STA QUILLAYUTE RIVER B. MK1 MYRON STEIN, STA CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT 5. I AM PLEASED WITH THE NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY NOMINATION PACKAGES THAT WERE SUBMITTED AND COMMEND ALL THOSE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANY OUTSTANDING ENGINEERS WE HAVE THROUGHOUT BOAT FORCES. EVERY NOMINEE IS A TRUE BOAT FORCES PROFESSIONAL. NOMINEES FOR THIS YEARS AWARD ARE LISTED BELOW IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: A. MK1 THOR OKSENDAHL, ANT BUFFALO B. MK1 DAMIAN RUSSO, STA KEY WEST C. MK1 ADAM SERVATIUS, STA SANDY HOOK D. MK1 JASON SPETH, STA LITTLE CREEK E. MK1 WILLIAM WALLACE, STA SEATTLE 6. THE SELECTION PANEL MEMBERS ARE LISTED BELOW: A. CDR RICHARD KEESLER, COMDT(G-37RCB-1) B. CDR JAMES OLIVE, COMDT(CG-3RPC) C. CWO STEVE NORQUIST, COMDT(CG-37RCU) D. MKCM KEVIN WINTER, COMDT(CG-481) E. BMCM PHIL WOLF, COMDT(CG-384) 7. PRESENTATION OF THE 2006 FIREMAN FIRST CLASS PAUL CLARK BOAT FORCES ENGINEERING AWARD WILL BE COORDINATED AND ANNOUNCED UNDER SEPCOR. 8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED. 9. RDML ROBERT C. PARKER, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS CAPABILITY, SENDS. BT
