USS Kamehameha
(SSN-642) Official Web Site
Kamehameha Awarded
Meritorious Unit Commendation
In June 2000, the ship received word of
her fourth award of a Meritorious Unit Commendation for her successes
during a recent deployment. The MUC is the first unit award, besides
the Battle "E" award, that the ship received since her conversion to
an SSN. The submariners, divers and SEALs who completed the
deployment together are eligible to wear the ribbon, and the ship
flies a star (for second award) on a small flag at the rear of the
ship's sail.
The text of the commendation is quoted
below:
Chief of Naval Operations
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting
the Meritorious Unit Commendation to
USS KAMEHAMEHA (SSN-642)
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For meritorious service from 1 June to 30
November 1999. The crew of USS KAMEHAMEHA (SSN-642) displayed
sustained superior performance during KAMEHAMEHA's first ever six
month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian
Gulf. While deployed, the crew of KAMEHAMEHA displayed expertise in
the area of Naval Special Warfare, completing special missions
throughout Asia and the Persian Gulf. KAMEHAMEHA's flawless
performance during the first ever operational evaluation of SEAL and
diver performance during Dry Deck Shelter operations in the extreme
warm waters of the Persian Gulf provided special operations forces
with invaluable insight and lessons learned in a new and challenging
warfighting environment, while clearly demonstrating the ability to
conduct special operations in these extreme temperature conditions.
KAMEHAMEHA's operational support of the KITTY HAWK battle group,
participation in several high level exercises, as well as the
recertification of the ship for independent Dry Deck Shelter
operations was completed in superb fashion. In addition, the crew of
KAMEHAMEHA conducted the first ever port visit of a nuclear powered
submarine to Aqaba, Jordan, where they completed several high level
onboard visits to include the King of Jordan, as well as the
unprecedented completion of six community relations projects. By
their unrelenting determination, perserverance, and steadfast
devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of USS
KAMEHAMEHA (SSN 642) reflected great credit upon themselves and
upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service.
For the Secretary,
J. L. Johnson
Admiral, United States Navy
Chief of Naval Operations
Histories on board ship show that USS Kamehameha is eligible for 63
awards of the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin, four Meritorious Unit
Commendations (two since SSN conversion), three Battle Efficiency
Awards, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and at least three Sea
Service Deployment Ribbons. More awards may have been given, but
these are the only ones with proof shown aboard ship. In addition,
USS Kamehameha proudly displays one Communications "C", three Deck
Seamanship "D", one Tactical "T", and one Medical "M" awards. The
ship has also received several Ney Awards for supply excellence.
Sailors who were on the Kam for all of this cited
deployment were eligible afterward for a Sea Service Ribbon (for more
than 90 days deployed from home port), an Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal (for operations in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea), and the MUC
listed above. Many junior sailors also "qualified in submarines" and
earned their coveted dolphins while on deployment.
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