Sailors receive Joint Service Achievement Medal for COVID-19 mitigation efforts

Photo By Lance Cpl. Sasha Pierre-Louis | United States Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Frank Dominguez, far left, command master chief of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, gives remarks at a Joint Service Achievement Medal award ceremony on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Sept. 3, 2020. During his remarks, Dominguez emphasized the positive effects the Sailors’ COVID-19 mitigation efforts had on the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Sasha Pierre-Louis  

CAMP SMITH, HI, UNITED STATES

09.03.2020

Story by Lance Cpl. Sasha Pierre-Louis 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

United States Sailors with the Force Surgeon's Office, G-10 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), received the Joint Service Achievement Medal in a ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Sept. 3, 2020.

Four Sailors received the award for their sustained acts of meritorious service within a joint duty capacity: Lt. Robert G. Miller, medical planner; Lt. Cmdr. Noah Apusen, medical planner; Lt. Joseph Cantwell, medical planner; and Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Strong, administration chief.

“Due to restrictions from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), personnel in the section went from eleven to six,” said Ms. Elizabeth Colina, deputy force surgeon with MARFORPAC. “The team still provided extensive support like any frontline.”

Despite restrictions, the awardees continued efforts in daily duties, in addition to requesting a COVID-19 testing machine, also known as the Panther Fusion, and input to the G-4, supply and logistics, with personal protective equipment requirements.

“As a whole we all agree on this,” said Strong. “It was a great experience to witness all of the medical planners come together as a group and work through problem sets outside of our comfort zone. We got comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Indo-Pacific Command and MARFORPAC aim to continue recognizing the accomplishments of deserving sailors, according to Colina.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, Master Chief Frank Dominguez, the command master chief for MARFORPAC praised the staff’s actions.

According to Dominguez, the work done by Miller, Apusen, Cantwell, and Strong ensured a highly efficient and effective response to the COVID-19 global health emergency, and their efforts positively impacted the lives of service members within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and MARFORPAC areas of responsibility.

“The award recipients kept the commander up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 statistics and requested a [COVID-19 testing machine]” said Dominguez. “They worked collaboratively and tirelessly with INDOPACOM Health Services.”

• Date Taken: 09.03.2020
• Date Posted: 09.23.2020 15:43
• Story ID: 378433
• Location: CAMP SMITH, HI, US