RIVGRU 1 Sailors Recognized by GWVA
Story Number: NNS070909-06
Release Date: 9/9/2007 10:50:00 AM
 

The GWVN Leadership Excellence Award honorees (and A. Billy Ratt, Jr.), L to R:  HM3 Olson - RIVRON THREE

 OS1 Herring - RIVRON TWO  BM2 Carter - RIVRON ONE  (BMSN (?) Ratt, Jr.)

 

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Elizabeth Merriam, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Gamewardens of Vietnam Association (GWVA) recognized three Sailors from Riverine Group (RIVGRU) 1 Sept. 7, by awarding them the first GWVA Leadership Excellence Award at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.

Receiving the awards were Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (EXW/SCW) Benjamin Carter of Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1, Operations Specialist 1st Class Russell Herring of RIVRON 2 and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF) Chad Olson of RIVRON 3.

RADM Bullard, HM3 Olson, OS1 Herring, BM2 Carter and CAPT Jordan. 

"When we started working with the admiral on this award we specifically asked for deckplate leadership," said retired Capt. John Woody, president of the GWVA. "We were looking for a person who can bring you out of harm's way, take care of the engine problem or fix a weapon if they need to under stress. Each one of the squadrons has provided us with a Sailor that we feel is an embodiment of this award."

The award was designed to honor leadership and service, two principles that the members of GWVA feel are just as important with today's riverine forces as they were when the association was serving.

"I think if you learn from all of the gamewarden stories of what went on in Vietnam, you understand what this award means because in a boat crew of five or six, everybody has got to stand up and be able to lead," said Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

"I think these heroes in Vietnam saw in numerous firefights that anybody could be a leader in that boat if need be, but it's those special few who, if needed, would take the lead in the most dangerous conditions," added Bullard.

During the ceremony Carter presented the association with a flag flown by RIVRON 1 in Ramadi, Iraq.

"I flew this at Camp Ramadi because we were the first riverine squadron to be in country since Vietnam so I figured it would be appropriate to pass that on to connect the chain between the present and the past," Carter said.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/necc/.