Nomination Summary

Enlisted

EMC Anthony Luciani from the USCGC CONFIDENCE displayed remarkable proficiency and devotion to duty, which positively impacted his shipmates and directly benefitted the cutter’s maintenance, readiness, and operational execution. As Command Chief, EMC Luciani passionately advised the command on the crew’s behalf while also challenging his peers to be the best Chiefs they could be. EMC Luciani’s impact extended well beyond his own unit; when a neighboring cutter experienced a disabling casualty just prior to a patrol, he lent invaluable technical assistance to identify and correct the problem, thereby enabling them to sail on time. As a member of his cutter’s Rescue and Assistance team, he placed himself into harm’s way to assist four distressed mariners on a 28-foot sailboat floundering in 15-20 foot seas. EMC Luciani personally rolled up his sleeves to cover for a personnel shortfall in his division, and tirelessly worked through mid-patrol breaks to ensure his aging cutter could meet all of its operational commitments.

Officer

LT Steven Baldovsky is an exceptionally-skilled Cutterman and licensed professional mariner with over nine years of creditable sea time. As the Operations Officer on CGC MIDGETT, LT Baldovsky demonstrated an exceptional grasp of engineering, seamanship and operational skills while leading his department through Tailored Ship Training Availability, directly resulting in his cutter earning a “clean sweep” in all five warfare areas and an overall average score of 97.3% on all drills, as well as the Battle “E” and the Pacific Area Operational Readiness Award. He trained the cutter navigation team to a high standard of excellence, including teaching apprentice Cuttermen the intricacies of celestial navigation. His expert operational planning and execution directly contributed to over 14 vessel interdictions and seizure of seven “go-fast” vessels and 7395kg of narcotics. LT Baldovsky took a lead role in mentoring 11 new permanent and 35 temporary Cuttermen, many of whom returned to sea duty after transferring from MIDGETT.

The Captain Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award Criteria

Nomination Summary

The Captain Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award annually recognizes one major cutter (210 feet for greater) and one small cutter (175-feet and smaller), that have demonstrated mission excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to work-life and crew morale.

Major

CGC BERTHOLF displayed exceptional operational acumen, stamina, and value to the nation this year, highlighted by the interdiction of 22 smuggling vessels and the first-ever nighttime interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel. BERTHOLF frequently maintained an extraordinarily high operational tempo, including interdicting seven smuggling vessels over an eight-day period. CGC BERTHOLF maintained operational effectiveness while underway for 236 days of the year through a combination of keen preventive engineering practices and ingenious casualty repairs performed in-theater. Additionally, BERTHOLF demonstrated sincere commitment to crew and families through a variety of support and outreach efforts, including the United Through Reading program, maintenance of a popular unit Facebook page, and several initiatives to recognize deserving shipmates.