WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The former commanding officer (CO) of USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the current CO of the USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (Gold Crew) were announced as winners of the 2010 Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Fleet Forces Command, respectively, Sept. 13.
Cmdr. Michael A. McCartney, of the Chung-Hoon, and Cmdr. Jeffrey M. Grimes, of the Maryland, were nominated by their peers for the award and were among nine candidates recommended by their fleet commanders for consideration by a panel of senior officers.
The Stockdale Award is presented annually to two active duty officers below the rank of captain who command operational units and whose personal initiatives and performance contribute to the overall excellence of the units.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, made the announcement.
"Cmdr. McCartney and Cmdr. Grimes, as well as all nominees, should be justifiably proud of their achievements," according to Roughead, in an official Navy message announcing the award winners.
McCartney took command of the Pearl Harbor-based Chung-Hoon in October 2008 and relinquished command in May. While he was in command, the ship completed a six-month, independent cruise in the 7th, 5th and 6th fleet Areas of Responsibility, including escort duty in the Suez Canal. Chung-Hoon also served as Destroyer Squadron 31's flagship during Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the Republic of Singapore and Royal Malaysian navies, as well as during Exercise Koa Kai off the coast of Hawaii.
The Chung-Hoon received outstanding ratings from the Board of Inspection and Survey and earned its first red "E," for engineering excellence, and its second blue "E," for logistical excellence.
Cmdr. Chase Patrick, CO of USS Chafee (DDG 90), nominated McCartney for the award.
"He is truly the most effective CO I have observed," said Patrick, in his nomination letter, adding that McCartney's effectiveness stemmed from a commitment to productive training.
McCartney personally led Joint Professional Military Education-caliber lessons and case studies in leadership in the Chung-Hoon wardroom each week and sharpened bridge-watch efficiency with nightly maneuvering board problems, said Patrick. McCartney also ensured every officer assigned to Chung-Hoon earned an engineering officer of the watch letter and other qualifications.
Patrick described the Chung-Hoon as "the cleanest ship on the waterfront" and its crew as "exceedingly positive in outlook and exceptionally polite and mature."
Grimes reported aboard the Kings Bay, Ga.-based Maryland in 2007. Maryland received the 2008 and 2009 Commander, Submarine Squadron 20 "E" for battle efficiency and the 2008 Omaha Trophy for top performance among Trident submarines.
Grimes was chosen to mentor prospective commanding and executive officers as part of the Strategic Programs Prospective Commanding Officer/Executive Officer Course, and was nominated for the Stockdale Award by three fellow commanding officers, including Cmdr. Michael Katahara of the USS West Virginia (SSBN 736)(Blue Crew).
"A true team player, Cmdr. Grimes fosters a strong atmosphere of camaraderie and esprit de corps throughout the Kings Bay area," said Katahara, in his nomination letter. "A true mentor for peers and juniors alike, he has clearly displayed leadership which will establish a professional legacy in the submarine force for generations to come."
McCartney and Grimes are scheduled to receive their awards Nov. 3 at the Pentagon.
Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, for whom the Stockdale Award is named, articulated five roles for a leader - moralist, jurist, teacher, steward and philosopher.
A Naval Academy graduate and pilot, Stockdale ejected from his A-4E Skyhawk over North Vietnam in September 1965 and was held prisoner – and frequently tortured – until February 1973. He received the Medal of Honor in 1976 and served as president of the Naval War College from October 1977 until August 1979.
He died in 2005 and is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
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