Daniel T. Norton, Military Sealift Command Engineering Technical Director, was awarded the 2019 Claud A. Jones Award for Fleet Engineering at the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) 2019 Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium held in San Diego, Calif., Aug 7-9.
Norton was presented with the award by Chris Thayer, MSC director, ship management.
The award honors Norton’s 40 years of experience in the field of ship operation, maintenance and repair, failure analysis, construction and conversion, specifically with MSC’s fleet of dry cargo/ammunition ships or T-AKEs. His expert engineering analysis and corrective actions, especially in stern tube bearing reliability, ensures MSC’s 14 T-AKEs are reliable, operational and fully ready to support the United States Navy’s missions as part of its Combat Logistics Force. In addition, Norton’s work is expected to result in over $252 million in unbudgeted maintenance and repair costs in the T-AKE fleet.
Norton is not only known throughout MSC as an expert in the field of engineering, but also as a mentor. His ability to involve young engineers in key ship repair processes and decisions has made him a much sought after mentor and advisor for developmental assignments.
Norton is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering, as well as a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineer from North Carolina State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia, and is active in several engineering organizations. In addition to his work with MSC, Norton has held positions with Exxon Shipping Co., as a Naval Port Engineer with AMSEC, Chief Engineer on the S. T. Bridgeton with Gleneagle Ship Management, Assistant Vice President with Seaworthy Systems, Inc.
“The Navy has a lot of ships, but it’s the people that are really the heart of the organization and Dan Norton is a great example of those people and the levels of knowledge, experience and dedication that makes up our great workforce,” said Thayer during the awards presentation. “I am honored to know and with Dan and to present him with this prestigious award.”
The Claud A. Jones Award, named in memory of Medal of Honor recipient and naval engineer, Admiral Claud Ashton Jones, is a prestigious award presented annually, since 1987, to the "Fleet Engineer of the Year" by the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). The award recognizes the efforts of United States fleet or field engineers who have made significant contributions to improving operational engineering or material readiness of the United States maritime forces during the past three years prior to nomination.