The following story was written by the Public Affairs Office at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport.
Three retired Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport employees recently received Department of the Navy (DON) civilian service awards. William Jones received the DON Superior Civilian Service Award and Dr. Aileen Sansone and Sharon Crowell received the DON Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
The Superior Civilian Service Award, the second highest Navy honorary award, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the third highest Navy honorary award, recognize superior and meritorious civilian service resulting in high value or benefits to the Navy.
Jones, a scientist in the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles and Defensive Systems Department, retired on June 30, after 35 years of service. His citation reads:
“… for his exceptional contributions to the U.S. Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities throughout his 35-year career, from May 1983 to June 2018. His early work became the basis for the heavyweight and lightweight torpedo control models used over the last 30 years. He was the first to adopt and promulgate the Design of Experiments approach to optimize testing and evaluation of torpedo upgrades, which has saved the Navy over $200 million in the evaluation of improved weapon systems. At the culmination of his career, as subject matter expert for Torpedo Systems Engineering, he led multiple team-based projects including basic research and the development and design of solutions to complex torpedo system issues. Jones’ numerous career achievements are consistent with the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy, and he is truly deserving of the recognition afforded by this distinguished award.”
Sansone, an engineer in the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles and Defensive Systems Department, was presented with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award by Rear Adm. Moises DelToro III, then commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, during a ceremony held on Oct. 1 at NUWC Headquarters. As engineering liaison for Marine Corps rapid prototyping, experimentation and demonstration initiatives, she oversaw follow-on prototype development and demonstration of technologies that were assessed as having high technical merit and operational value. Sansone retired on Jan. 2, after 23 years of service.
Her citation reads:
“…for her extraordinary leadership in advanced technology and rapid prototyping efforts from June 2016 to September 2018. Her ability to see the big picture, coupled with her exceptional technical and operational skills, have contributed to the success of major processes and projects. She served as technical coordinator for the first-ever Naval Research and Development Establishment/Marine Corps Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) — Ship-to-Shore Maneuver Exploration and Experimentation — collaborating with the Marine Corps warfighting lab. Her leadership in the 2018 Urban 5th Generation Marine ANTX paved the way for the rapid prototyping and fielding of technologies of high value to the Marines. Sansone’s exceptional professionalism, personal initiative, and total commitment to duty have provided unprecedented benefit to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Naval Sea Systems Command, the U.S. Navy, and the nation.”
Crowell, program manager for NUWC Headquarters’ Warfare Center External Awards Program, was presented with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award by Donald McCormack, Executive Director, Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers at a ceremony on Nov. 29. She retired on Nov. 30, after 33 years of service
Her citation reads:
“…for her strong organization skills and ability to ensure broad application of the Warfare Centers’ External Awards Program opportunities across the Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers from March 2006 to October 2018. She has played a unifying role in the area of external awards for the Department of the Navy, and has assisted the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Office of Civilian Human Resources Systems Command and the Office of Civilian Human Resources countless times in dealing with the complexities of employee recognition within the Department of Defense. Over the past 12 years, Crowell has made a lasting impression on the Warfare Center community, quickly and accurately responding to a seemingly endless stream of nomination requests and working tirelessly to develop guidance and metrics to enhance the External Awards Program. In addition, Crowell was the primary design architect of the electronic database systems utilized by Warfare Center and NAVSEA personnel to access, distribute, track and archive External Awards Program data. Crowell’s exemplary performance reflects great credit upon herself, the Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, NAVSEA, and the Navy. Her outstanding professionalism, personal initiative, and total dedication to duty have provided unprecedented benefits that are most worthy of this special recognition.”
NUWC Division Newport, part of the Naval Sea System Command, is one of two divisions of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. NUWC Division Newport’s mission is to provide research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures. NUWC’s other division is located in Keyport, Wash.