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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa
NAPLES, Italy - Lt. Timothy F. Shanley, operations officer of Destroyer Squadron Six Zero, was named by the Navy League as the 2012 winner of the Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence, Feb. 24.
The Stephen Decatur Award is awarded to a U.S. Navy officer or enlisted service member who has made an outstanding personal contribution in the course of actual naval operations that has advanced the readiness and competence of the naval service.
“This award means that I have been able to execute naval operations and my job as a Naval officer how my father, four brothers, and two brother's-in-law taught me. All former Naval officers, the tutelage and advice they constantly provide has been invaluable.” said Lt. Shanley.
“In my job, I have routinely had to interface with not only fellow Navy co-workers, but jointly with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard brethren. Together as a joint team, we have continued to coordinate with our allied partners in strengthening our military bond.”
The award will be presented to Lt. Shanley during an award ceremony at the Navy League's National Convention June 20-24, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Lt. Shanley directed the safe and effective operation of surface ships, submarines, and aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, NATO Allies, and regional partners across a vast and diverse theater of operations ranging from the Norwegian North Cape to the Levant in the Eastern Mediterranean sea and coast of Northern Africa. His operational competence and versatility were the essential elements in every mission executed by the DESRON staff, and he frequently worked far above his pay grade and beyond the constraints of conventional staff organization to ensure the units under his purview received the best possible preparation and support to achieve operational success.
“First and foremost, he's extraordinarily competent and that's what this award is about. I depend on him to plan, direct and track, in excruciating detail everything our ships do in theater, from the most routine evolutions to the most challenging missions, and he does it flawlessly,” said Capt. Dan Shaffer, commander, DESRON 60. “Second, he's a gifted leader, he has a unique ability to coax the very best performance out of everyone, no matter how junior or senior they might be. Finally, he's a delight to be around, he carries a heavy load, and he does it cheerfully and that rubs off on everyone.
The Stephen Decatur Award is named after the hero of the Barbary Wars whose bold and daring resolution gave birth to an operational competence that still remains a guiding star for the U.S. naval service. The award has been presented annually since 1957.
Lt. Shanley was born in Oxnard, Calif., where his father, retired captain, John Shanley was the commanding officer Naval Station Port Hueneme. He was raised in Annapolis, Md. where his father, four brothers and two brother's-in-law all graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 09:39 |
| Story ID: | 84551 |
| Location: | NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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