U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Sailors of the Year

MAYPORT, FL, UNITED STATES

10.31.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anna Liesa Hussey 

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

U.S. 4th Fleet announced its Senior Sailor of the Year, Sailor of the Year and Junior Sailor of the Year for fiscal year 2019.
Logistics Specialist 1st Class Michael Mason, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Corley, and Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Hopkins were named as Sailors of the Year for U.S. 4th Fleet.
"I am honored to be selected as Sailor of the Year," said Mason, a native of Miami, Florida. “I hope to live up to the standards of such a prestigious award.”
In addition to his logistician duties, Mason also serves as U.S. 4th Fleet’s command career counselor and command fitness leader. He has been in the Navy for 12 years and is Aviation and Surface Warfare qualified.
The Sailor of the Year program was established in 1972 by former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet to recognize an individual Sailor who best represents the group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command and, ultimately, in the Navy.
"I am humbled beyond belief," said Hopkins. "I hope to continue to progress in my career and continue to make the command proud."
Hopkins is from Moyock, North Carolina. He has been in the Navy for two years and U.S. 4th Fleet is his first duty assignment. He recently qualified for his Information Warfare pin.
A recognition letter was sent to each sailor’s family stating, "By serving his/her country and the United States Navy during a time of great challenge and sacrifice, your family member has proven he/she a true Patriot whose achievements we all take pleasure in acknowledging.”
USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT supports USSOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2019
• Date Posted: 12.13.2019 15:14
• Story ID: 355653
• Location: MAYPORT, FL, US