This award is presented by the Navy League to Supply Corps officers who have made significant contributions to the supply readiness of our operating forces and is a testament to an officer that was significant in shaping the Supply Corps of today. 

“The Supply community could not have selected a more deserving officer for this award. Lt. Cmdr. Combs is an exemplary officer whose leadership, professionalism and subject matter expertise contributed greatly to the readiness of the USS Princeton throughout calendar year ‘21,” said Capt. Martin Robertson, commanding officer, Princeton. “His ability to inspire and lead is recognized across the command and is demonstrated by the success and achievements of his department. The Princeton Team is extremely proud of him and his accomplishments.”

Combs is one of the five Supply officers awarded across the Navy who proved their knowledge and skill sets as the best the Navy has to offer. 

“The Vice Adm. Batchelder Award is a uniquely special award for a Supply officer,” said Combs. “In our community, it’s the rare award that highlights your achievements, better than any single medal or certificate, the Batchelder truly receives community-wide recognition. I can now say that I'm a proud member of a prestigious group of high-performing Supply officers."

During 2021, Princeton completed an 11-month 5th and 7th Fleet deployment, participated in sustainment operations and numerous other exercises and executed a 7-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) maintenance period. In 2022, the ship and crew executed the training phase known as Basic Phase and is currently readying for future operations.