COAST GUARD Compass

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Coast Guard Cutter James

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James is the recipient of the Capt. Hopley Yeaton Outstanding Cutter Award for their unbreakable resilience in not only breathing life into the steel of the ship, but by building James into one of the Coast Guard’s greatest assets in counter-narcotic operations. In only two patrols, James and its crew interdicted 22 drug smuggling vessels, seized 16,815 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of $560 million, and apprehended 70 suspected narcotics traffickers.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Maritime Safety and Security Team Miami

The summer and fall of 2017 saw a nearly unprecedented string of hurricanes impacting the southeastern United States. As always, of course, Coast Guard units responded to every storm, providing rescue, recovery, and security assistance in areas that had been ravaged by extreme weather. For Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Miami in particular, it was a uniquely trying time in which personnel truly distinguished themselves through their perseverance and dedication: five weeks, three storm responses, an evacuation of their own homes, and a unit that came together through a difficult period to accomplish diverse missions and take care of their fellow Coast Guard members.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Coast Guard Headquarters holiday volunteers

Headquarters personnel were asked to donate gift bags for teen boys and girls, filled with gift cards and electronic items such as headphones and portable chargers. Numerous individuals and teams, including those from the Coast Guard Officers Association, contributed cash donations for the drive. In the final tally, the results were amazing — 204 gift bags, a 25 percent increase from last year. Additionally, 40 volunteers helped prepare the gift bags and delivered them to the local community.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Caribbean Basin Security Initiative – Technical Assistance Field Team

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative – Technical Assistance Field Team (CBSI-TAFT), a team comprised of nine U.S. Coast Guardsmen and six U.S. Army soldiers based at U.S. Southern Command earned the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award Program. The award recognizes outstanding maintenance units in three categories: field-level, depot-level, and maintenance training, advice, and assistance of foreign security forces.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: CS1 Mason Champlin

Having been the special command aide for two district commanders over the past 2 ½ years, Champlin has had plenty of experience being the head chef and event planner for official parties, as well as being the caretaker for everything that goes along with the upkeep of a 100-year-old house and property. For his efforts, Champlin was selected for the 2017 Special Command Aide of the Year award, which recognized him for his leadership, job performance, self improvement, community involvement and commitment to the Coast Guard’s core values.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: SK1 Jessica Bonham

The Cape Cod Military Support Foundation Inc. and the Otis Civilian Advisory Council hosted the 2017 Annual Military Awards Banquet where junior members for each agency were recognized for their outstanding contribution to Joint Base Cape Cod. This year, Port Security 301 nominated Petty Officer 1st Class Jessica Bonham for her outstanding service to the JBCC community and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve forces.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Petty Officer 1st Class Walter Kendall, Auxiliarists Robert and Patti Brody

The 37th Annual Salute to the Coast Guard was held Oct. 5, 2017 in New York City, to honor Coast Guard heroics from around the country. The evening honored Petty Officer 1st Class Walter Kendall, a boatswains mate at Coast Guard Station Erie, and Coast Guard Auxiliarists Robert and Patti Brody of Coast Guard Station Rochester who received the Foundation’s National Award for Heroism.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Petty Officer 2nd Class Cassandra Kintzley

With a sharp eye and soft hand, Petty Officer 2nd Class Cassandra Kintzley trains Coast Guard men and women who enforce maritime laws, and protect Northeast ports and waterways. Her delicate instructing style helps ease newcomers’ nerves on the range. Her goal is not only teaching people to shoot, but to instill necessary confidence when using a weapon.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Capt. Patricia McFetridge

Capt. Patricia McFetridge, a veteran of 34 years of total military service, is a 1990 recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and a trailblazer for women in Coast Guard aviation.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Kodiak Chief Petty Officers Association

Fly fishing has a way of healing a person, especially when that person is an active duty or military veteran who has been negatively affected in some way while serving his country.

For eight years, the Chief Petty Officers Association of Kodiak, Alaska, has provided a way for veterans to come to Kodiak Island and escape into nature to heal. Volunteers donate their time and resources to coordinate and organize a week of fly fishing to provide a way for others to rehabilitate physically and emotionally.