The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) was presented with the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) award for meritorious service from Jan. 29, 2011 to March 12, 2012 at Marginal Wharf on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept. 26.
The MUC is given for valorous or meritorious achievement by a unit. Former Secretary of the Navy John T. McNaughton established the award in 1967.
“To justify this award, your service is on par with someone who earns the Bronze Star award,” said Rear Adm. Dietrich Kuhlmann, commander of Submarine Group 9. “That’s some pretty rare company and you should be proud of what that means for the team gathered around you.”
Maine blue and gold crews worked together to consistently keep the ship ready and perform at a high level.
“This award is a validation of all the hard work we have put in,” said Master Chief Machinist’s Mate Perry Willis, Maine gold crew chief of the boat. “We helped each other out maintaining the ship, even with the most mundane tasks.”
Maine, underway for 349 days over a 14-month period, was a secure, reliable, and effective strategic deterrent in supporting Operation Order Global Citadel and exercise Global Thunder.
“It feels good to win this award. It shows that all of our hard work was paying off,” said Missile Technician 2nd Class Brad Trogdor. “This makes all the drills, cleaning and inspections worth it.”
Maine was named the 2012 Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) Award winner and the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award winner for earning runner-up in the Submarine Category July 19.
“We have been winning the battle on undersea dominance for a long time now, thanks in large to the job [the crew members] do each day,” said Kulhmann. “Every one of [the crew members] on the Maine should feel very good about today.”
[mappress] Press Release, September 30, 2013; Image: US Navy