Senior Chief Damage Controlman Cory Williams was presented the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award by Training Support Center, Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. John Vliet during an award ceremony, Sept. 22.

Williams was selected by his peers at his previous command, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Crew 102, to receive the award for exhibiting the highest level of excellence in leadership within his prospective community.

LCS Crew 102 deployed aboard USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) to Singapore in 2015 for shallow water operations in support of the Navy's strategic re-balance to the Pacific. While a part LCS Crew 102, Williams served as the command's damage control assistant. He was selected to represent the pinnacle of senior enlisted leadership in the LCS community by a board of his peers.

"Thank you to the LCS community for this amazing honor," he said.

Williams joined the Navy in December 1996 and has served aboard USS Forth Worth (LCS 3), USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Mount Hood (AE 29), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). His shore tours include Naval Station Great Lakes and TSC Great Lakes. Williams returned for a second tour at TSC in 2016, where he currently serves as a fleet leading chief petty officer, overseeing more than 1,000 staff and student Sailors daily.

Just a few of Williams' accomplishments within the LCS community include the creation of a chemical, biological and radiological defense bill; the implementation of the enlisted surface warfare specialist program; and the formation of damage control drill packages for total ship survivability.

"I want to be sure to thank the crew, and especially the Engineering Department. Without them, none of this would have been possible," said Williams. "Also, thank you to my former [commanding officer], Cmdr. Christopher Brown; former executive officer, Cmdr. Michel Falzone; Command Master Chief Alexander Rincones; Lt. Lakir Patel; and [retired] Senior Chief Engineman Clifton Knight. All of these people were mentors for me and instrumental in my success."

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