Chief Petty Officer Matthew Kreamalmyer was recognized with the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Sasebo Japan American Society during a ceremony, Dec. 6.

The award recognizes his outstanding contributions in building lasting relationships with Sasebo City and Japan Self Defense Forces in 2016.

"Receiving the award is a huge honor and very humbling," said Kreamalmyer. "Working with JMSDF [Japan Marine Self Defense Force], JGSDF [Japan Ground Self Defense Force] and the local community on different events and traditional customs and rituals truly pay off, showing why we are here as a military and people. It gives us opportunities to meld our cultures and build ever lasting relationships. I give thanks to the CPOA [Chief Petty Officer's Association], Public Works Department Sasebo and all the Sailors, families and leaders for giving me the opportunities to represent them in receiving this award."

In 2016, Kreamalmyer participated in joint construction projects with the JMSDF. He also instructed for the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Basic Enlisted English Course and volunteered in many community outreach events, involving helping local families.

"As a representative of Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo and the United States Navy, your untiring efforts spent volunteering numerous hours in the local community fostered a friendly relationship between the American and Japanese communities," the award read.

Kreamalmyer is the leading chief petty officer at PWD Sasebo. He leads 14 Sailors, known as Seabees, who perform construction and public works projects at Commander, Fleet Activities, Sasebo Japan. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1999 and has completed many tours and deployments, including support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

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