MILWAUKEE — The crew of Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., received the prestigious Sumner I. Kimball award for excellence Friday.
The award, recognizing excellence in operational readiness and vessel condition, is awarded after a thorough inspection by Coast Guard Headquarters’ Office of Boat Forces to crews who meet exceptionally high standards of the service.
During the ceremony, presided over by Capt. Matthew Sibley, commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, the station crew was officially recognized for exceptional performance and achieving a grade of 90 percent or higher during an arduous, week-long inspection. This annual inspection included the examination of their response boats, completion of crew knowledge tests, and assessment of the unit’s practical drills and training plan.
“The Kimball award represents all the hard work the crew puts in day in and day out,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Rebecca Polzin, officer-in-charge of Station Michigan City. “It is such an honor to receive such a prestigious award and I am extremely proud of the crew.”
Only about 10 percent of the Coast Guard’s 191 small boat stations nationwide receive the award in a year.
The award cites the crew’s hard work and efforts to maintain the Coast Guard’s highest standards of boat and crew readiness. It also recognizes their overall high level of excellence and professionalism in executing all Coast Guard missions.
The award is named for the first general superintendent of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which was later incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard. Sumner I. Kimball was appointed to the position in 1878 due to his persuasive efforts in convincing Congress to improve upon what was a system of volunteer life-saving stations. Kimball’s elevated standards laid the foundation for modern day Coast Guard small boat stations.
Crew members from Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Ind., display the Sumner I. Kimball Award for excellence, April 22, 2013. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Michigan City
