Nassau Wins Prestigious Battle "E"
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060320-10
Release Date: 3/20/2006 1:33:00 PM
By Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Andrew King, USS Nassau Public Affairs
ABOARD USS NASSAU, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Navy’s "top gator" received welcome news March 11 when Capt. Michael W. Brannon, their commanding officer, shared over the ship’s general announcing system that USS Nassau (LHA 4) had won the Battle “E” award for the second time in the ship’s history.
The announcement came while crew members completed the backload of elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in the northern Persian Gulf. Nassau is currently conducting Maritime Security Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations.
“This crew worked hard to get where they are right now, and they deserve this award,” said Brannon. “They should all be proud of what they have accomplished.”
Nassau was awarded the Battle “E” after being selected as the top large-deck amphibious assault ship on the East Coast. The Battle “E” award is presented to commands that prove their expertise in four categories of battle efficiency: maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control, and logistics. The categories were graded over a 12-month period as Nassau performed several inspections and exercises during many underway periods. Upon completion of the observation period Nassau was compared with other ships in its category, with Nassau coming out on top.
“I feel lucky, because I didn’t think we were going to get the award,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class (SW) Demetrius Sullivan of weapon’s G-2 division, a first-time recipient of the Battle “E”. “This has been a great year for me because I completed boot camp, reported to Nassau, picked up [gunner's mate 3rd class], earned my surface warfare pin, and now I have a Battle “E” to wear on my chest.”
With the award comes the right to paint a white letter “E” on Nassau’s superstructure, showing the rest of the Navy why the ship is known as the Navy’s “top gator.” Nassau Sailors are also authorized to wear the Battle “E” ribbon for the remainder of their time in the service.
“It’s great because all the hard work the crew has been doing on this ship is being recognized outside our chain of command,” said Lt. Cmdr. Wes Daugherty, air department’s aircraft handling officer. “It’s nice to see that others see how hard we’re working, and they are rewarding that hard work.”
Nassau deployed Nov. 4 from Norfolk, Va., as the flag ship for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.
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