U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii

Hometown: Honolulu, HI, US

Coast Guardsman recognized as 14th Coast Guard District Enlisted Person of 2012

04.08.2013 | HONOLULU, HI, US
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Soto

HONOLULU — Petty Officer 2nd Class Erich J. Klingner, an aviation survival technician assigned to Air Station Barbers Point, receives his citation as the 14th Coast Guard District Enlisted Person of the Year from Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, 14th District commander, during a recognition ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, Friday.

Klingner distinguished himself by taking a leadership role to help mentor six aviation survival technician airmen in completion of their rigorous physical fitness program. Klingner has been involved in 10 search and rescue missions in which he saved three lives. Klingner also took it upon himself to repair two life rafts that had initially believed to have been irreparable. He also rebuilt 12 oxygen heads for life rafts and redistributed surplus parachutes and survival suits to other aviation units saving the Coast Guard more than $22,000.

Klingner also assisted a local community in New Jersey impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Although all Coast Guard men and women perform a variety of missions, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine safety inspections, protection of fisheries, aids-to-navigation, port security and anti-terrorism patrols, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, and environmental protection, the EPOY program recognizes exceptional men and women in the Coast Guard’s enlisted workforce who are top performers. Considered as the “best and brightest” from the field, these individuals are selected by a panel of senior enlisted members who evaluate each nominee against a set of established criteria that includes performance, work ethics, military bearing, standards of conduct and a strong community service commitment.

Klingner will compete for national honors with his peers from other Coast Guard Districts across the nation. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Michael P. Leavitt, will recognize the national winners in an award ceremony later this spring.

For more information contact the 14th Coast Guard district public affairs office at 808-535-3230.