SAN DIEGO – Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Alize J. Acevedo, assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, detachment North Island, (FRCSW) was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Nov. 7, 2019.
Capt. Rich LeBron, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), presented the award to Acevedo to recognize her effort helping one of his own crew return safely to the ship.
Petty Officer Acevedo was on liberty in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego when she came upon a fellow Sailor in need of assistance.
“I could tell he was having a bad night, and getting him back to his ship was the first thing that came to mind,” said Acevedo. “I just kind of jumped into ‘Sailor mode’ I guess. We have ‘honor, courage and commitment’ instilled in us, and that’s what kicked in when I saw him. I’m honored to be recognized in this way, for simply doing what we’ve been trained to do.”
USS Bonhomme Richard Command Master Chief Joe Hernandez described his impression of Acevedo’s actions.
“This was a situation where a Sailor finds another Sailor, who she doesn’t know, who needed help, and took it upon herself to pick him up, put him in her car, and get him back to base before his night could potentially get worse,” said Hernandez. “To exercise the care and professionalism it takes to do that is the true definition of what it means to be a shipmate.”
FRCSW officer-in-charge, Cmdr. Eric Quarles expressed pride in his Sailor’s decision-making process.
“[She] exemplifies what we’re looking for in our core values and taking care of one another,” said Quarles. “We often say that we’re a family, and it doesn’t always play out that way. But, in this instance, petty officer Acevedo really brought it together.”
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** This story is an updated version from a previously posted release that contained inaccurate statements and quotes wrongly attributed to Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Alize J. Acevedo.