ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – A U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Clair Shores-based Coast Guard petty officer is scheduled to receive the Cmdr. Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy during a ceremony at the station here, Wednesday, at 9 a.m.
Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class John Anderson, who is assigned to Station St. Clair Shores, earned the award for demonstrating sustained superior performance, exceptional boat handling skills and exemplary leadership.
Anderson is recognized for his superb leadership, professional abilities and devotion to duty as a certified coxswain on the 25-foot small response boat (RB-S), 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement (SPC-LE) and the 20-foot air/ice boat Special Purpose Craft-Air.
Anderson demonstrated exemplary boat-handling skills and sound judgement in the challenging environment inherent to the station’s area of responsibility on the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair.
His expertise, knowledge and dedication influenced the successful outcome of 115 search and rescue cases and law enforcement boardings as well as high profile events, including numerous fireworks displays.
In addition to his coxswain duties, Anderson is his station’s Coast Guard Auxiliary liaison representative as well, attending monthly meetings with two divisions and 12 flotillas.
Since its inception in 2002, Anderson is the first member of the Ninth Coast Guard District to receive the award.
The award is in honor of Cmdr. Raymond Evans, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), who received the Navy Cross for his gallant efforts while fighting along side fellow Higgins boat coxswain Douglas Munro on Sept. 17, 1942 at Point Cruz on Guadalcanal. Evans provided covering fire for and evacuated elements of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, who were under the command of Lt. Col. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller.
