Subscribe
The award, which is also known as the Pilly Lent Award, was sponsored by the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Navy League and given to Medlin because of his outstanding tactical performance, individual achievements, and excellence in leadership as the best performing tactical submarine department head in the U.S. Pacific Submarine Force. This is the first time the award has been presented.
"Lt. Cmdr. Medlin was selected for this award because, after competing with over one hundred highly qualified submarine department heads, he was considered the best in fulfilling the warfighting and leadership skills of Rear Adm. Pilly Lent’s legacy,” said retired Capt. Will Lent, son of Rear Adm. Pilly Lent. “The selection was most comprehensively carried out by many experienced submarine officers, up through the submarine squadron commander level and approved by Rear Adm. Frederick Roegge, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC). I have met Lt. Cmdr. Medlin, and being a long time submariner myself, I fully concur with the selection, and believe him to be a most impressive young man.”
Medlin was recognized for his achievements by the Mayor of Bremerton, Mrs. Patty Lent, and the Secretary of State, Mrs. Kim Wyman. His name was also engraved on a plaque that was presented to him at the Washington State Capital. Medlin will be honored again at the annual Armed Forces Day Gala Dinner, May 21.
“The award comes at the most perfect time to celebrate its namesake, Rear Admiral Willis Lent, one of the most outstanding submarine commanding officers of WWII,” said Mayor Lent. “Especially due to the christening of the newest Virginia-class submarine USS Washington (SSN 787) joining the fleet in 2016, this award will have a historical legacy for Sailors serving on Pacific Fleet submarines. It is very special that the first recipient is actually based here at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.”
Submarine commanding officers each nominated their top department head for this award. Squadron commanders researched each candidate and forwarded their top choice to COMSUBPAC. Roegge announced the winner in a Navy-wide message released March 22.
“Lt. Cmdr. Medlin’s outstanding performance and service to the submarine force honor Rear Adm. Pilly Lent and his legacy as one of the most outstanding war-fighting submarine officers of World War II,” said Roegge.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2016 15:50 |
| Story ID: | 196283 |
| Location: | OLYMPIA, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Maine (B) Officer Receives Rear Adm. Willis A. Lent Award, by LCDR Michael Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT