Other Memories
I returned to COMSUBLANT staff for a second tour and served until my retirement as the Base Consolidated Telecommunications (BCT) Officer and COMSUBACLANT Assistant Communications Officer.
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achieveme... The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant a Navy Commendation Medal or higher. It may not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after January 1, 1969. MoreHide
Comments The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL to LIEUTENANT KENNETH R. MCDERMOTT, UNITED STATES NAVY, for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For profess... The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL to LIEUTENANT KENNETH R. MCDERMOTT, UNITED STATES NAVY, for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Base Consolidated Telecommunications Officer on the Staff, Commander Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet from October 1976 to August 1979. Lieutenant McDermott consistently performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying strong leadership, competence and resourcefulness, he contributed significantly to the highly efficient operation of the Base Consolidated Telecommunications Center. Due to his meticulous attention to detail and managerial deftness, he was instrumental in providing excellent support to both the staff and to the units served by the submarine broadcast. His performance made possible the outstanding results achieved and served as an inspiration to all who observed him. Lieutenant McDermott's exceptional professional abilities, sound judgment, initiative and dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service
For the Secretary of the Navy
KENNETH M. CARR
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander Submarine Force
U. S. Atlantic Fleet MoreHide
Other Memories
I was ordered aboard as the Radio Officer, a Chief Warrant Officer position - but since I was a frocked LTJG and the Assistant Communications Officer was retiring, I assumed the duties of the Assistant Communications Officer, which was a LT position. While aboard I made LTJG and then LT while completing two 6 1/2 month Med cruises and the 1976 bi-centennial celebration in NYC where we were the host ship for the tall ships review and our ship's bell was rung by President Gerald Ford at noon on July 4th, 1976. RMCS Bill Plackett was our Message Center Chief - who later went on to become Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON).
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievem... The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service (but not of sufficient nature to warrant a higher decoration). MoreHide
Comments The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to Lieutenant Kenneth R. McDermott, United States Navy, for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For merito... The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to Lieutenant Kenneth R. McDermott, United States Navy, for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For meritorious service while serving as Assistant Communications Officer in USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) from 1 March 1974 to 23 September 1976. Lieutenant McDermott's resourcefulness, leadership and superb managerial abilities were instrumental in attaining significant improvements in communications readiness on board USS FORRESTAL. Encountering a situation of an undermanned and inexperienced division, he formulated and implemented an innovative Position Qualification Training Program, allowing progressive on-the-job training for personnel with no prior communications training. Concurrently, he planned and directed a total reconfiguration of the message processing center involving an extensive teletype installation and watch station redesign. These major accomplishments resulted in substantial improvements in message handling capacity and operator efficiency. By his exceptional leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant McDermott reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
For the Secretary of the Navy
H. E. Greer
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet MoreHide
Criteria
The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974.
Description For service as a crew member aboard the USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) during the period that ship won the Battle Efficiency Competition. The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships, squadron... For service as a crew member aboard the USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) during the period that ship won the Battle Efficiency Competition. The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships, squadrons, or units (including construction battalions) that have won a battle efficiency competition (Battle "E") after July 1, 1974 MoreHide
Other Memories
I served here as a Warrant Officer (W-1) for two years and a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2) for a year and a half, during which time I was selected for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and was frocked to LTJG before transferring to the USS Forrestal (CV-59). While at COMSUBLANT I was a Communications Watch Officer (CWO) and also formally qualified as a Submarine Watch Officer (SWO)
Other Memories
I had made RM1(SS) just before reporting aboard the precommissioning crew. I requalified in submarines, SSBN-627 class; made Chief; made the first sea trial, shakedown, missile firing and seven Gold Crew patrols. For four patrols I was the Leading Radioman and for one year I was the Qualification Chief Petty Officer.
Other Memories
While attending the Instructor Training Course at Sub School I was asked to serve on that staff - which I did until I made Warrant Officer (WO-1) in June, 1970.
When I transferred from this command I was awarded the following Letter of Commendation:
THE COMMANDING OFFICER NAVAL SUBMARINE SCHOOL takes pleasure in commending CHIEF RADIOMAN KENNETH R. McDERMOTT UNITED STATES NAVY for services as set forth in the following CITATION For outstanding performance of duty while serving on the Staff of Naval Submarine School during the period of March 1969 to June 1970. As an instructor in the Instructor Training Branch, Chief Petty Officer McDERMOTT exhibited outstanding ability, initiative and resourcefulness. He was instrumental in revising the lesson plans of the most difficult lessons taught in Instructor Training School and spent many hours of research in the area of basic psychology. Chief Petty Officer McDERMOTT is extremely adept at counseling students and obtaining their best effort. Chief Petty Officer McDERMOTT's outstanding performance and devotion to duty have been in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. W. K. YATES Captain, U. S. Navy
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Comments The criteria for a Good Conduct Medal is defined by Executive Orders 8809, 9323, and 10444. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States Navy who completes four consecu... The criteria for a Good Conduct Medal is defined by Executive Orders 8809, 9323, and 10444. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States Navy who completes four consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service". Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses.
Kenn served as an enlisted man from his initial enlistment on July 7, 1959 until receiving his appointment to Warrant Officer (WO-1) on June 15, 1970. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Comments The criteria for a Good Conduct Medal is defined by Executive Orders 8809, 9323, and 10444. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States Naval Service who completes fou... The criteria for a Good Conduct Medal is defined by Executive Orders 8809, 9323, and 10444. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States Naval Service who completes four consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service". Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses.
Kenn served as an enlisted man from his initial entry into the U. S. Navy on July 7, 1959 until his appointment to Warrant Officer (WO-1) on June 15, 1970. MoreHide
Other Memories
This was my qual boat (March 18, 1962), but I had to begin my qualifications here from scratch since, although the Bang was a Guppy IIA boat like the Entemedor, the Bang was built in Portsmouth NH while the Entemedor was built at Electric Boat, Groton, CT. I made second class and shipped over for the first time while aboard.
Other Memories
This was my first boat - which I got orders directly to without first going through Basic Submarine School. Once aboard I was sent up the river to go through the Escape Training Tank at Sub School and I started on my Guppy IIA (EB Boat) submarine qualifications while learning my Radioman duties, but was transferred to the USS Bang (SS-385) after only four months aboard.
Other Memories
Reported aboard as an RMSA just out of boot camp in Great Lakes, IL and the 16-week Radioman Class "A" school in Norfolk, VA. Made RMSN and RM3 while stationed here on a special one-year shore tour.
Other Memories
When I attended this 16-week class "A" school in Norfolk, VA the focus was on learning to type and send/receive Morse code. I was copying 28 words per minute and sending at 18 words per minute when I graduated.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
I returned to COMSUBLANT staff for a second tour and served until my retirement as the Base Consolidated Telecommunications (BCT) Officer and COMSUBACLANT Assistant Communications Officer.