USS James E. Williams Awarded Navy Unit Commendation

04 August 2021

From Lt. j.g. Matthew Casale, USS James E. Williams

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, presented the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) a Navy Unit Commendation at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 2.

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The ship’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Ameian Jeremiah, gave a nod to the crew’s dedication during the ship’s recent deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, which commenced in January 2020. James E. Williams returned to Norfolk Aug. 10, 2020, and subsequently completed a successful follow-on deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

“This award recognizes the hard work and resilience of our Sailors during a very challenging deployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “James E. Williams demonstrated adaptability and self-sufficiency to maintain peak operational readiness in support of our mission while assigned to the [Dwight D.] Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.”

Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, left , commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class John Henry Soliman, center, and Cmdr. Ameian Jeremiah, right, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), pose with the crew of James E. Williams after the presentation of the Navy Unit Commendation to the crew. James E. Williams received the award for its 2020 deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Logistics Specialist Seaman Savannah Sellner)

Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, left, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, shakes hands with Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class John Henry Soliman before presenting the Navy Unit Commendation to the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). James E. Williams received the award for its 2020 deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Logistics Specialist Seaman Savannah Sellner)

Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, speaks to the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) after presenting the crew with the Navy Unit Commendation. James E. Williams received the award for its 2020 deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Logistics Specialist Seaman Savannah Sellner)

During McLane’s visit, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class John Soliman was individually recognized for his superior performance during the ship’s deployment. He was commended for repairing the ship’s recovery assist, secure and traverse (RAST) system, demonstrating self-sufficiency and enabling the use of the ship’s flight deck while deployed.

Former Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal established the Navy Unit Commendation Dec. 19, 1944. The Secretary of the Navy may award the Navy Unit Commendation to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy. It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself through extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service.

Commissioned Dec. 11, 2004 in Charleston, South Carolina, James E. Williams’ namesake was a Medal of Honor recipient and the most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history. The ship is homeported in Norfolk and assigned to Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT).

SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of nearly 80 ships and more than 30 shore commands.

For more SURFLANT news and photos, visit facebook.com/SURFLANT, www.surflant.usff.navy.mil, and Twitter - @surflant.

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