MILWAUKEE — The crew of Coast Guard Station Milwaukee was awarded the Sumner I. Kimball award for excellence Friday.
The award recognizes excellence in operational readiness and vessel condition.
It is awarded by Coast Guard Headquarters’ Office of Boat Forces after a thorough inspection of Coast Guard units to crews who meet exceptionally high standards of the service.
During a 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.
Capt. Matthew Sibley (left), commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, poses with crew members from Coast Guard Station Milwaukee after presenting the unit with the Sumner I. Kimball Award for Excellence, Jan. 31, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Brian Dykens
“The Kimball award represents the crew’s ability to maintain a high level of operational readiness and proficiency,” said Chief Petty Officer Eric Hopperdietzel, officer-in-charge of Station Milwaukee. “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 any given 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 represents the 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 Increase 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.
Station Milwaukee is a multi-mission small boat station that executes all Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security.
