Three Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) were honored for their leadership Nov. 16 at a dinner to honor this year's Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership award winners.

Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr., Ike's commanding officer, and Mr. Rex Buffington, the center's executive director, presented awards to Lt. Travis Grayum, a Santa Maria, Calif. native; Senior Chief Navy Counselor Crystal Webb, a Tarboro, N.C. native; and Damage Controlman 2nd Class Logan Morris, from Dayton, Ohio.

Grayum, Ike's aviation support officer, was awarded the Stennis Five Star Award; Webb, the command's career counselor, the Stennis Waging Peace Award and Morris, Ike's former damage control division work center supervisor, received the Stennis Spirit of Service Award.

"This is award is compilation of hard work and helping others. It just goes to show that doing the right thing is noticed and pays off," said Morris, who transferred from Ike earlier this year.

The Stennis Center Awards are presented annually to one officer, one chief petty officer and one junior Sailor serving aboard Ike who best exemplifies the vision, integrity, courage, and commitment to duty of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

"With all awards, the intent is to recognize superior performance and recognize those who stand out from the crowd," said Spedero. "These are very special to me because it is highly competitive and the standard to even be considered is incredibly high. These three individuals stood out from hundreds of competitors as the best of them all."

Buffington said he took pride in identifying the leaders serving aboard Ike and celebrating them for their performance.

"Since this award is focused on leadership and it ties back to the leadership's namesakes, it is especially unique because it represents leadership throughout the whole ship," said Buffington.

Each Stennis Award winner received a crystal eagle trophy and will visit the District of Columbia with their families to meet members of Congress and other government leaders.

Ike is undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the maintenance phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

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