Medgar Evers Wins MSC's "E" Award Two Years Running

Photo By LaShawn Sykes | For the second year in a row, Military Sealift Command awarded USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13) the Maritime Excellence Award in March for the underway replenishment category. The “E” award is one of the command’s top honors presented to Combat Logistics Force ships. T-AKE 13 was nominated for outperforming all other vessels in its class during competitive-year 2020. “This award appropriately reflects the endless hours the ship and crew have spent maintaining the highest degree of operational readiness, and it is a true testament to the elite seamanship of the civil service mariners assigned to the vessel,” MSC Atlantic Commodore Captain Janice G. Smith said.  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

04.20.2021

Story by LaShawn Sykes 

USN Military Sealift Command

Aristotle described excellence as an art won by training and habituation. For two consecutive years, USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13) has won Military Sealift Command’s annual Maritime “E” Award for excellence. The ship’s consistent habit of training longer, working harder, and giving more than any other vessel in its class, gave the ship its winning competitive edge for fiscal year 2020.

In spite of last year’s COVID 19 pandemic, which continues to lurk around at every corner, Captain Zachary J. Daniels, master of USNS Medgar Evers, said his civil service mariners (CIVMARS) have done a brilliant job of navigating the crisis. By leaning on and supporting each other through the tough times, the crew has been able to maintain the highest level of quality service to the Navy’s warfighters at sea he said. “I couldn’t be more proud! I see the hard work and dedication that goes into keeping the ship performing at the level it does, and it’s a collective effort. The “E” award is an external validation of the effort I see everyone putting in each and every day.”

Captain Janice G. Smith, MSC Atlantic Commodore, Norfolk, Va., presented MSC’s “E” Award to the master and several CIVMARS aboard the vessel on Naval Station Norfolk, March 16.

Earning MSC’s “E” Award is a true testament to the elite seamanship of Medgar Evers’ CIVMARS and their steadfast commitment to always lean forward, providing an unmatched level of service to the Navy’s warfighters worldwide, Smith said. “The ship’s tireless efforts in providing year-round quality replenishment services last year was done extraordinarily well, during an extraordinary time in our nation’s history.”

MSC’s “E” Award is one of MSC’s top honors presented to Combat Logistics Force ships. The award was created to recognize those vessels that perform at the highest level of operational readiness, performance, efficiency, and safety standards.

Medgar Evers is one of 14 Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ships of the United States Navy, named in honor of World War II veteran and civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world while moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

For more news from Military Sealift Command, visit http://www.facebook.com/MSCdelivers; http://www.twitter.com/MSCsealift; http://MSCSealift.dodlive.mil.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2021
• Date Posted: 04.20.2021 15:55
• Story ID: 394279
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US