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The Secretary's Valor Award 2016

The Secretary’s Award for Valor is the highest departmental recognition for extraordinary acts of valor by an employee, occurring while on or off duty. The award is only to be given in extraordinary circumstances to those who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in a highly dangerous, life-threatening situation or emergency under extreme stress and involving a specific act of valor, such as saving another person’s life or property. Both civilian and military employees of the Department are eligible for this award.

This year's winners are listed below, along with a description of their contributions and achievements:

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert B. Granger.

For extraordinary heroism in response to a sinking vessel which directly resulted in the saving of 12 lives.

Robert B. Granger, USCG
Miami, FL

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard A. Steidell

For remarkable judgment in apprehending an armed suicidal individual without loss of life or damage to USCG assets and others.

Richard A. Steidell, USCG
Islamorada, FL

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to Gloria L. Betts

For remarkable courage in assisting local law enforcement and safeguarding civilians during an armed attack on a Florida State trooper.

Gloria L. Betts, USCG
Jacksonville, FL

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Agents Tad A. Freesmeier, Manuel Dorado, and Nicholas Koahou.

For extraordinary response in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California.

Homeland Security Investigations, San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Tad A. Freesmeier, ICE
Manuel Dorado, ICE
Nicholas Koahou, ICE

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to the U.S. Secret Service agents White House Team Kevin D. Moloney, Joshua L. Johnson, and Matthew R. Williams

For extraordinary service in preventing an armed gunman from breaching the White House perimeter.

May 20, 2016 White House Team
Washington, DC

Kevin D. Moloney, USSS
Joshua L. Johnson, USSS
Matthew R. Williams, USSS

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Zone 1 River Team Phillippe Morgue and Nathan Kimball.

For selfless courage in attempting to rescue a woman and her 2-year old child from drowning. Sadly the woman and her child did not survive.

Zone 1 River Team
Yuma, AZ

Phillippe Gorgue, CBP
Nathan Kimball, CBP

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Valor to U.S. Customs and Border Protection San Diego Marine Unit officers Christopher Hunter, Craig Jenkins, and Arian Linscott.

For selfless courage in rescuing 20 people from the water after a smuggling vessel capsized.

San Diego Marine Unit
San Diego, CA

Christopher Hunter, CBP
Craig Jenkins, CBP
Arian Linscott, CBP

Last Published Date: November 2, 2016

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