2009 Reserve Sailor of the Year Pays Tribute to Inspiration for Service

Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink presents the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to Naval Aircrewman 1st Class William J. Frost, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85. Frost was selected as the 2009 Reserve Sailor of the Year on May 21, 2009. Frost will return to Washington in July where he will be promoted to Chief Petty Officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Moriatis/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. Navy Reserve Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA (NNS) -- A Sailor assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 was named 2009 Reserve Sailor of the Year May 21 during a ceremony at the Ft. Myers Officers Club.

Naval Aircrewman 1st Class (AW/NAC) William J. Frost -- a weapons and tactics instructor was selected after a three-day selection process in Washington, D.C.

"It's an honor I can't even begin to describe," he said.

He gave credit to his late grandfather, William E. O'Donnell, a former Navy chief radioman who served in World War II, and during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Frost's grandfather's naval service inspired him to rejoin the U.S. Navy in the Reserve Force after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"My grandfather was the driving force in everything I have done in my naval career," Frost said. "Being a chief was the greatest thing in the world to him."

Frost also paid tribute to the Sailors who perished when a Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 6 HH-60 Seahawk crashed the day before into Pacific Ocean near Point Loma, Calif. Two Sailors remain missing, as of May 21.

"They did the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "They were out there to be ready."

Frost, a San Diego native, was among five finalists for the top Sailor honor among more than 55,000 enlisted selected Reservists. The Sailor, who has served three combat tours in Iraq, will be meritoriously promoted to the rank of chief petty officer at a ceremony at the Pentagon in July.

Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Dirk J. Debbink hand-picked Frost after a recommendation from a selection board of five master chiefs.

"Petty Officer Frost exemplified the best of the best with his can-do attitude, his care and concern for those he works with, the support he gives and receives from his family and his love of the Navy," the admiral said. "There's no doubt this is a Sailor for life."

Debbink said each finalist embodied the "best of the best" and thousands of dedicated Sailors in the Reserve Force.

"It truly isn't a competition, it's a celebration of the Sailors we have serving in our Navy Reserve today and our Navy today," he said.

Force Master Chief (FMF) Ronney A. Wright said Frost's demeanor, professionalism and inspired commitment stood out.

"The bottom line is, it's coming from the heart," he said. "There's no doubt when you meet this Sailor, it doesn't matter if he's in a competition or a routine job during the day he will give each equal effort and he's going to do the right thing."

The other finalists were:

Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/SCW) Luis A. Arellano, petty officer in charge of training at U.S. Naval Forces Korea.

Naval Aircrewman 1st Class (AW/NAC) Darryl W. Calzo, a crew-chief with Fleet Logistics Supply Squadron (VR) 57 at NAS North Island.

Construction Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SCW) Robert M. Marshall, leading petty officer of Bravo Company of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21 at Naval Air and Engineering Center Lakehurst, N.J..

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Brian M. Yeater, a quality assurance technician with HSC-84 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

While in Washington, the Sailors took a whirlwind trek through the nation's capital with with stops at the Pentagon where they met Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark E. Ferguson and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs David L. McGinnis, among others.

The Sailors also paid reverence to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery, and toured the U.S. Capitol building, national monuments and the U.S. Naval Academy in nearby Annapolis, Md.