USS Little Rock Awards

Awards, Citations and Recognition

earned by the

U.S.S. Little Rock and her Crew

Last updated: 02 Mar 2010

This page is an attempt at cataloging all of the awards and citations earned by the U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK during her lifetime. This will include ALL verifiable awards received by the ship and those awarded to individual crew members during their tour(s) on the Little Rock. Your input is important to making sure that all such recognition is displayed here.

Quick Search

1. Unit Awards & Campaign Medals GO

A. Campaign (Expeditionary) Medals GO

1. Navy Expeditionary Medal GO

B. Command Excellence Awards GO

1_{^{.
Battle Efficiency Award}} GO

2. Ribbon & Medals to Individuals GO

A. Silver Commendation of Naval Valor GO

B. Bronze Commendation of Naval Valor GO

C. Navy Good Conduct Medal GO

D. Sea Service Deployment Ribbon GO

E. Commendation of Naval Valor GO

3. Special Awards to U.S.S. Little Rock GO

A. Marjorie Sterrett Award GO

B. Shipshape & Sharp Award GO

4. Special Awards to Individuals GO

A. Bronze Man Award GO

B. Letters of Commendation GO

C. USS Little Rock "Sailor of the Year" GO

1. Unit Awards & Campaign Medals

This section lists the Unit Awards & Campaign Medals earned by the U.S.S. Little Rock. The official document that details all Navy Unit Awards and Campaign Medals is OPNAVNOTE 1650. From this document we know the USS Little Rock received the following two awards:

#1. Navy Expeditionary Service Medal (Cuba)

Qualifying dates: 03 Jan 1961 - 23 Oct 1962

U.S.S. Little Rock's participation dates:
20 Jan 1962 through 26 Jan 1962

#2. Navy "E" Ribbon

0l Jul 1974 through 30 Jun 1975
(See Notes 1. and 2.)

Note 1: The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

Note 2: The U.S.S. Little Rock also won the Battle "E" award for Fiscal Year 1961. No ribbon was authorized at that time for winning the Battle "E" competition. See Command Excellence & Efficiency Awards below.

Note 3: OPNAVNOTE 1650 says in part: .... "All personnel permanently attached to or serving with cited units listed..... during the period designated, or any part thereof, are entitled to the award. Eligibility may be established by documentary evidence in service records, such as orders to officer personnel or page four service record entry for enlisted members.

Note 4: Eligibility for retired, discharged or Fleet Reserve personnel must be determined by the Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63231-5100 or the Navy Personnel Command.

A. Campaign and Expeditionary Medals

A campaign / expeditionary medal is a military decoration awarded to a member of the military who serves in a designated military operation or performs duty in a geographical theater. These medals are similar to service medals but carry a higher status in that the award usually involves deployment to a foreign region or service in a combat zone.

Medal

1. Navy Expeditionary Medal

The Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created on 05 Aug 1936 by Navy Department General Order (N.D.G.O.) #84 of the Department of the Navy. The Navy Expeditionary Medal is awarded to Navy personnel who have operated in foreign territory to engage in operations, both combat and non-combat, for which no other campaign medal has been awarded.

Two service medals have been authorized for Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served in Cuban waters during the period of tension that culminated in the Cuban quarantine of 1962. The Navy Expeditionary Medal was authorized for service performed between 03 January 1961 and 23 October 1962

Personnel who were attached to Little Rock, and who actually participated in the given operation, are eligible for the Navy Expeditionary Medal. This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked. (Members of rear echelons, transients, observers and personnel assigned for short periods of Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) or Training Duty (TD) are not normally eligible for the award.) USS Little Rock personnel who were aboard for the period 20 Jan 1962 through 26 Jan 1962 are authorized to wear the medal.

Multiple awards of the Navy Expeditionary Medal to an individual are denoted by service stars. One bronze star is added for each subsequent award after the first, with a silver star used in lieu of five bronze stars.

Note: The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was also authorized for service in the Cuban quarantine from 24 October through 31 December 1962. The USS Little Rock did not qualify for this award.

Ribbon

B. Command Excellence Awards

Command Excellence Awards indicate that the ship that bears them has proven to be superior in a certain field of operations.

_{^{1. Battle Efficiency Award}}

E

The Battle Efficiency Award (now called the Battle Effectiveness Award), is awarded annually to U.S. Navy ships and other units that win their battle effectiveness competition. The award signifies the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned wartime tasks as determined over the course of a yearlong evaluation. The competition measures the ship's overall ability to meet all its mission objectives.

Ships and units winning a Battle “E” are authorized to paint a white "E" on their stacks or elsewhere. The E is twice as large as the other E's and is the only award with shadow. For each subsequent consecutive award a "hashmark" is painted below the white E. Winners of five consecutive E's replace the white E and four hashmarks with a Gold "E" with a silver star above the "E". The “E” and any hashmarks are removed in the year the ship or unit first fails to win the award.

Prior to 1976, personnel of ships and units that won the Battle "E" were authorized to wear a small cloth "E" on their uniform sleeve, with hashmarks and color corresponding to that displayed on their ship or unit. Starting in 1976 personnel were authorized to wear the Navy "E" Ribbon and Battle "E" Device (See below.).

The U.S.S. Little Rock won the Battle "E" in FY61 (01 Oct 1960 - 31 Sep 1961) with a score of 91.26. Personnel aboard the Little Rock during that period are entitled to wear the Battle E Ribbon.

Medal

(None Authorized)

Navy "E" Ribbon

The Navy "E" Ribbon was established in July of 1976 by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf. The award, commonly known as the Battle "E" is based on a year-long evaluation of individual Navy ships, submarines, aviation and other units, and is awarded annually to units that win their battle efficiency competition. The criterion for the Battle Efficiency Award is overall readiness, and recognizes sustained superior performance in an operational environment within a command.

Personnel of ships and units that win the Battle "E" are authorized to wear the Navy "E" Ribbon and Battle "E" Device. Before 1976, they wore a small cloth "E" on their uniform sleeves, with hashmarks and color corresponding to that on their ship or unit. The ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships or in squadrons that have won a battle efficiency competition. For each award of the Navy "E" Ribbon, one Battle "E" device is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon, up to the third award. For the fourth and all subsequent awards, the E with wreath device is worn, with no further devices added to the ribbon. The ribbon, itself, is also commonly referred to as the "Battle E" ribbon.

Ribbon

Medal

(None Authorized)

Navy "E" Patch

Prior to July 1976 the Battle "E" the crew of ships winning the Battle "E" competition wore a small cloth "E" patch on right sleeve of their uniform, with hashmarks and color corresponding to that displayed on their ship or unit.

Other Common Command Efficiency Awards

E	Maritime Warfare Excellence
E	Engineering / Survivability Excellence
E	Communications / Command & Control Excellence (Note 4.)

In the case of the above awards, an "E" of the stated color is painted on the ship, with a hashmark of the same color to signify consecutive awards. In the case of five consecutive awards, a star of the same color will be painted, replacing the service hashmarks.

All awards, except the Battle E, are 20 inches in length and 25 inches in height without shadow.

Command Excellence Awards are painted and displayed on the port and starboard side of the bulwark aft of the Battle "E"

Additional Common Command Awards

E	Logistics Management Excellence
E	Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) Ship Safety Award
E	Efficiency Excellence
E	Weapons Excellence (Note 5.)
F	Fire Control Excellence
C	Communication Department Excellence (Note 6.)
A	Antisubmarine Warfare Excellence
DC	Best Damage Control Crew
CS	Combat Systems Excellence (Aircraft Carriers)
H	Wellness Award
H	Habitability Award
M or M	Best Medical Department
N or N	Navigation Excellence
T	Tactical Proficiency
R	Repair Excellence
D	Best Deck Department
W	Best Weapons Department (Aircraft Carriers)
D	Dental
	Navigation Award
	Deck Seamanship Award
Note 4.	In FY61 the Little Rock's Combat Information Center (CIC) was awarded a green "E" with a score of 93.5
Note 5.	In FY61 Little Rock's weapons excellence was exhibited by the winning of the coveted white "E" by the Missile System (97.5), the 6" Turret (101.3), and the 5" Mount (125.0)
Note 6.	Communication Department excellence was displayed in FY61 by winning of the green "C" with a score of 94.8.

2. Ribbons & Medals Awarded to Individuals

This section lists Official Ribbons & Medals presented to crew members while they were aboard the U.S.S. Little Rock. This list includes only Ribbons and Medals that were actually earned while on board the Little Rock.

The list is in the order of precedence. That is, the order in which the medals/ribbons are to be worn. The see the complete order of precedence for all military awards, go to "Grunts Military".

Medal

(Picture not
available)

A. Silver Commendation of Naval Valor (Italy)

On 18 August 1963 the USS Little Rock's helo rescued an Italian woman after the boat in which she was a passenger capsized. Helo Detachment members Lt(jg) Leif A. Elstad, the pilot, received a Silver Commendation of Naval Valor Medal (Italy), Crewman Charles R. Adams ADR3 who jumped to rescue the woman received a Bronze Commendation of Naval Valor (Italy), and crewman G.C. Woody ADJ2 received a Commendation of Naval Valor (Italy). The awards were presented on behalf of the Italian government by Italian Vice Admiral Francesco Baslini at the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno, Italy when the Little Rock was in La Spezia.

(Note: The ship's newspaper "Talosman" stated that the awards received were as follows: Lt(jg) Elstad, Bronze Medal of Naval Valor, ADR3 Adams Silver Medal of Naval Valor, and ADJ2 Woody a Commendation of Naval Valor.)

Click HERE for more stories involving Lt. Elstad
Click HERE for picture of the Helo Detachment

Ribbon

Medal

(Picture not
available)

B. Bronze Commendation of Naval Valor (Italy)

Ribbon

Medal

C. Navy Good Conduct Medal

The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established by SECNAV on 26 April 1869 to recognize the "all-around" good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of conduct and performance.........

Eligibility Requirements: After 1 November 1963 any 4 years of continuous active service as an enlisted person in the Regular Navy or Naval Reserve. Per NAVADMIN 305/95, After 1 January 1996, the qualifying period of eligibility is 3 years vice 4 years for service terminating after that date........

Attachments. A bronze star, 3/16 inch in diameter will be worn on the suspension ribbon and bar to denote subsequent awards.

Ribbon

Medal

(None Issued) D. Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Ribbon

Medal

(None Issued)

E. Commendation of Naval Valor (Italy)

Ribbon

(None Issued)

3. Special Awards and Recognition to USS Little Rock

The following are special awards and special recognition made by the US Navy, and by others, to the U.S.S. Little Rock.

A. Marjorie Sterrett Award

All Hands magazine announced in its February 1962 edition that the U.S.S. Little Rock was one of the seven ships in the Atlantic Fleet to win the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for FY 1961. That year the award was presented by the U.S. Navy's Chief of Naval Operations to seven ships in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and to seven ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award was established in 1917 by the (New York) Tribune Association. It was initiated by a contribution which accompanied the following letter:

Brooklyn, N.Y
February 2, 1916

To the Editor of the New York Tribune

Dear Sir:

I read in your paper every morning a lot about preparedness. My grandpa and my great grandpa were soldiers. If I was a boy I would be a soldier, too, but I am not, so I want to do what I can to help.

Mama gives me a dime every week for helping her. I am sending you this week’s dime to help build a battleship for Uncle Sam.

I know a lot of other kids would give their errand money if you would start a fund.

I am 13 years old, and go to Public School No. 9, Brooklyn.

Truly yours,
MARJORIE. STERRETT

Prior to World War II income from this fund was used to pay prizes annually to turret and gun crews making the highest scores in short-range battle practice, and to submarine crews making the highest scores in torpedo firing.

Since the end of World War II, the Navy has emphasized readiness and fitness of the ship rather than competition between individual departments. Accordingly, the income from the trust fund has been used to promote battle efficiency by its payment to ships which stand first in the intra-type battle efficiency competitions. It has been the policy to rotate eligibility for the award annually among the various type commands.

The award includes a small monetary stipend (about $1500 in 2004). Commanding officers receiving the award must put the money into the ship's recreation fund, where it can be spent on athletic equipment, prizes for athletic or marksmanship competitions, recreation room furniture, dances, parties, and similar recreational activities.

"Shipshape & Sharp in '76 Award"

In June 1976 the USS Little Rock received the Commander Sixth Fleet "Shipshape and Sharp in 76" award, for best maintained ship in Sixth Fleet during Bicentennial Year.

4. Special Awards and Recognition to Individuals

The following are special awards and special recognition made by the US Navy, the U.S.S. Little Rock, and
by others, to individual crew members while they were assigned to the Little Rock.

A. Bronze Man Award

The Bronze Man Award was unique to the U.S.S. Little Rock. Nothing specific is known about its origin. However, Captain J. R. Payne in the August 1962 issue of "The Talosman" says "Within the next few weeks I will announce a procedure whereby deserving men of the Little Rock will be recognized for outstanding job performance." It seems that the award was given out at the discretion of the Captain, and that there was no designated quantity of awards to be given in a particular time frame. Likewise it seems that these awards were sometimes presented singly to only one crew member, and at other times the award was presented to several crew members at the same time.

Each award had a "Serial Number", and from that we know that there were at least 35 Bronze Man awards made over its life. Below are the details, as far as we have them for each of the 35 awards.

Ser. No.	Recipient	Date	Citation
?	John R. Thibodeau, MM1	62-63	"As leading Machinist's Mate of the Auxiliary Division, PETTY OFFICER Thibodeau has demonstrated superior technical knowledge and perseverance in all phases of his work, particularly in regards to the ship's evaporation and nitrogen plants. He has trained the personnel under his control to the same exacting standards and has greatly raised the reliability of the LITTLE ROCK'S auxiliary machinery. His conduct, leadership, effective application of technical skill, and devotion to duty are symbolized by this award."
?	Hayes C. Mill, SD3	62-63	"As steward in charge of the Wardroom, PETTY OFFICER Mills has demonstrated outstanding leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to foresee the changing needs of a large officer's mess. Under his capable supervision the Wardroom has become a true home with high standards, appreciated fully by the officers of the mess."
?	Rene J. Galipeau, MR1	62-63	"As Machinist in charge of the Machine Shop, PETTY OFFICER Galipeau has consistently exhibited the highest qualities of leadership, outstanding skill and technical knowledge. Under his supervision the Machine Shop has manufactured many machinery parts normally considered outside the scope of facilities available in order to return vital machinery to operation."
?	Joseph S. Zembroski, GYSGT	62-63	"As Mount Captain of the five-inch battery, Sergeant Zembroski consistently exhibited outstanding qualities beyond that normally required or expected of his rank or experience. Under his leadership the mount crew developed into a disciplined and competent team whose performance was consistently evaluated by qualified observers as outstanding in all phases of firing, including local control."
#11	Arthur E. Tilley Jr., MT2	14 Aug 1963	"For consistently high performance of duty while serving on board the USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4) from 8 August 1962 to the present date. As petty officer in charge of the starboard and port missile checkout areas, he has exhibited superior technical knowledge in all facets of the Talos Missile and Missile Test Equipment. This superior knowledge is demonstrated by his quick judgment and unerring skill in analyzing casualties. He has trained and inspired personnel under his cognizance to the same exacting standards, demonstrating at all times a willingness to work and enthusiasm in any assigned task. His conduct, leadership, skillful application of technical competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” Signed: J.R. Payne, Captain
#27	Dennis W. Rozumek, MM3	17 Apr 1965	"For consistently high performance of duty while serving on board the U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK (CLG4) from 30 November 1961 to the present date. Rozumek, has by his daily work habits, leadership qualities and knowledge of machinery and repair procedures, demonstrated that he is far superior to the average third class petty officer. He has on many occasion worked on his off-duty hours to repair equipment out of commission, and it was largely through his having worked for a period of excess of seventy-two hours in making repairs on two main feed booster pumps, that LITTLE ROCK was able to commence the current Mediterranean Deployment, with full power available. His conduct, leadership, skillful application of technical competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service." Signed: R. O. Middleton, Captain
#33	Hugh Strawn, YN3	07 Jun 1965	"For outstanding performance as a good will ambassador and morale booster during the Mediterranean Deployment from 1 December 1964 to l June 1965 on board the Guided Missile Cruiser LITTLE ROCK (CLG 4). STRAWN has given freely of his time and talent as a member of the ship's band "LITTLE ROCKERS" to entertain both our own sailors and the people of the countries that the ship has visited. STRAWN has performed many times in each USO Club ashore during our port visits and on board this ship while underway, thus providing many hours of fine entertainment to various units of the SIXTH Fleet. STRAWN has participated in concerts ashore for various groups of foreign nationals, creating an atmosphere of good will and friendship with our friends in the Mediterranean through music and personal contact. STRAWN'S performance and conduct ashore has been exemplary and in keeping with the highest standards of excellence in the United States Navy." Signed: R. O. Middleton, Captain
#34	Unknown
#35	Tony Rothrock, DC3	07 Jun 1965	"For outstanding performance as a good will ambassador & morale booster during the Mediterranean deployment from 1 DecEMBER 1964 to 1 June 1965 on board the Guided Missile Cruiser LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4) ROTHROCK has given freely of his time & talent as a member of the ship's band" LITTLE ROCKERS" to entertain both our own sailors and the people of the countries that the ship has visited. ROTHROCK has performed many times in each USO Club ashore during our port visits and on board this ship while underway, thus providing many hours of fine entertainment to various units of the SIXTH Fleet. ROTHROCK has participated in concerts ashore for various groups of foreign nationals, creating an atmosphere of good will and friendship with our friends in the Mediterranean through music and personal contact. ROTHROCK'S performance and conduct ashore has been exemplary and in keeping with the highest standards of excellence in the United States Navy." Signed: R. O. Middleton, Captain

B. Letters of Commendation

Thomas Santella BMCM	May 1976	For his role "in the difficult repair to the lube oil cooler" after a casualty with same on 30 April 1976 while enroute to Izmir, Turkey.
Charles Sims MMC	May 1976	For his role "in the difficult repair to the lube oil cooler" after a casualty with same on 30 April 1976 while enroute to Izmir, Turkey.
Graham Boysen BM1	May 1976	For his role "in the difficult repair to the lube oil cooler" after a casualty with same on 30 April 1976 while enroute to Izmir, Turkey.
Donald Zurbrick RM2	Sep 1976	COMMANDER SIXTH FLEET (Seal) LETTER OF COMMENDATION The Commander Sixth Fleet takes pleasure in commending DONALD R. ZURBRICK RADIOMAN SECOND CLASS UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: Petty Officer Second Class ZurbrIck’s performance of his duties while serving as Communications Watch Supervisor in USS Little Rock (CG 4}, flagship of Commander Sixth Fleet, from 6 August 1974 to 31 August 1976 was commendable. Petty Officer Second Class Zurbrick was instrumental in supporting communications under arduous conditions during the evacuation of Lebanon during June 1976 and July 1976. Through hid dedication, zeal and exceptional leadership ability,. Petty Officer Second Class Zurbrick provided subordinates with the inspiration and guidance necessary to efficiently and properly process an unusually large volume of message traffic, despite a :shortage of personnel. His aggressive and selfless action was a significant contribution to the successful completion of each mission. His professional conduct, technical proficiency and farsightedness contributed immeasurably to reliable communications for the Fleet Commander. Petty Officer Second Class Zurbrick’s professionalism and loyal devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Sixth Fleet. s/s Harry D. Train, II Vice Admiral, United States Navy Commander Sixth Fleet

C. "Sailor of the Year"
Dean Zaharis FTG2	1974	Awarded "Sailor of the Year" for 1974 (Date of award is not known.)

U.S.S. Little Rock's Helo Detachment
(ca. 1963)

U.S.S. Little Rock Helo Pilot Lt. Leif A. Elstad

had a special knack for finding rescue opportunities.
Below are several articles pertaining rescues in which he was involved:

I. Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) played a major role in the rescue operations (by rescuing 8 people) following the collision between the Israeli liner SHALOM and the Norwegian tanker STOLT DAGALI early Thanksgiving morning 26 November 1964.

Before day break HU-2 had a plane in the air and on its way to the scene of the collision. By day break LT George Gilpin, his crew consisting of LTJG Philip Lehrfeld, Charles Beasley AMH1, and John Pelto AE3, had spotted a partly submerged life boat in the choppy seas off the coast of New Jersey. An approach was made to a hover and four survivors were hoisted into the helicopter. The men were taken to NAS LAKEHURST for examinations at the hospital. The helicopter was immediately refueled and returned to continue the search for survivors.

By this time three other squadron helicopters were launched and they too joined in the search.

A cluster of people were seen on the bridge of the STOLT DAGALI and the helicopter crew of LTJG George Benoit, LTJG Leif Elstad, Christopher Valentine ATN3, and Clyde S. Harting AD3, motioned for the people to walk to the ship's bow. Two of these people were then picked up by LTJG Benoit and his crew.

From: THE WHIRLYBIRD of HC-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ
http://twaintimes.net/hu-2/wbdec64.html

- - - - - - -

II. While on a practice instrument approach to Lakehurst NAS West Field Tuesday August 31, 1965, LT Leif Elstad, flying as co-pilot, of a UH-2A Seasprite, spotted a Navy A-4 Jet about to crash after its engine quit just after take off. The plane came to a stop in a marsh a few hundred yards off the end of runway 24.

By this time, the pilot Howard Cobb who had been on instruments and the aircrewman, Howard Humphrey, ADJC and a passenger LTJG James Hitch who assisted as an aircrewman, had the plane in sight and the crewmen were preparing the hoist and rescue equipment. The helicopter was on the scene in seconds hovering over the downed airman, LT J. S. Bull, from Naval Ait Test Center, Patauxent River, Maryland. LT Bull climbed into the rescue sling and was hoisted into the helo. At 2:10PM, just 3 minutes after the plane crashed, LT Bull was discharged from the Helicopter at Lakehurst West Field, put aboard a waiting ambulance and taken to the Station Hospital

From: THE WHIRLYBIRD of HC-2, NAS Lakehurst, NJ
http://twaintimes.net/hu-2/wbsep65.html

- - - - - - -

III. On 28 December 1965, aircraft from Enterprise CVA(N)-65 and carriers Hancock (CVA-19) and Ticonderoga flew missions in I and II Corps areas against VC supply and rest areas, and against company and battalion-strength troop concentrations.

As many as 80 structures, including seven bunkers, were reported destroyed, and heavy bombing caused the collapse of at least four tunnels, together with numerous fox holes and fire positions. Aircraft from the “Big E” flew 31 of these sorties, including 27 Skyhawks and four Phantom IIs, receiving small arms fire from the area of 14º58’N, 108º53’40”E, but the aircrews “silenced” the enemy on their first bombing run.

At approximately 0150 on the 28th, Show Time 607, an F-4B (BuNo 151438), Lieutenant Dean H. Forsgren, pilot, and Lieutenant (Jg) Robert M. Jewell, RIO, VF-96, while landing on board Enterprise following an armed reconnaissance over Laos, was waived off for being too low. Coming around for a second pass they reached “bingo” fuel status – which was 0 at the time of flameout – and ejected, disappearing from radar about 15 miles from the ship. The crew of a Douglas KA-3B Skywarrior marked the area of ejection, the ship giving “a good vector” toward 607’s last known position, 350º. Angel 4, a UH-2A (BuNo 149769) from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC)-2 Det 65, Lieutenant Leif A. Elstad, pilot, Lieutenant (jg) Michael A. Johnson, co-pilot, ATN3 D.A. Larson and Airman M.P. Laws, were flying plane guard approximately 10 miles from the ship when they received the message announcing the crash.

Coming about, they flew to the scene, “easily” locating the survivors in the water by visual sighting of .38 cal. tracers and Mk-13 Mod 0 distress signals, barely 30 minutes into the search. Although both of the Phantom II’s crewmembers were carrying PR 49A radios, they were unable to “home in” accurately on their signals, most probably due to the two–three miles separating the survivors. The sea state was greater than initially reported (four foot swells), the rescue being “complicated” by high seas and gusty winds, as well as the reluctance of the two officers to leave their respective life rafts, but both were brought back on board via the rescue sling.

Above is from the Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center:
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/enterprise-viiia.htm

What's Missing? Do you know of an award, or special recognition, presented either to the ship or to one or more of her crew?
Send us the details and we'll see that it gets added.