Merchant Marine Outstanding Achievement Medal


The Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine awarded by the United States Maritime Administration. It was established in 2002 and is awarded to members of the maritime industry who have made extraordinarily valuable contributions to the merchant marine.
warded to recognize merchant mariners who have participated in an act or operation of humanitarian nature directly to an individual or groups of individuals. This medal may be awarded to those leaders in the maritime industry who have dedicated years of service or achievement and/or given an extraordinary valuable contribution or work to the maritime industry. This medal requires the Maritime Administrator’s approval for award.

Award Recipients

2005: John A. Yarber, Second Assistant Engineer, USNS Pililaau. Awarded in recognition for providing relief and care to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
2005: Edward B. McDonnell, LCDR / 3rd Mate SS Wright. Awarded in recognition for providing relief and care to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
2010: John M. Bozzi; Third Officer-USNS 1st Lt Jack Lummus. Awarded for the participation in OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE, providing relief and care to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
2011: Operation Tomodachi USNS Bridge Second Officer Andrew Chen.
2012: Mark A. Ricker Jr., awarded for the participation in providing relief to the victims of Superstorm Sandy
2012: Crew of the Horizon Reliance awarded for the rescue of the crew aboard the distressed vessel Liahona during a storm off the coast of Hilo, Hawaii.
2015: William D. Eglinton.
2011: Operation Tomodachi USNS Rappahannock Able Seaman Christopher Lewis.
2012: Robert Mason, Great Lakes Maritime Academy Pilotage Instructor. In recognition of greater than 30 years as an instructor.
2014: Michael Hochscheidt, Great Lakes Maritime Academy Engineering Department Head. In recognition of greater than 30 years as an instructor.
2017: Capt. Michael Horn. In recognition of a 41-year career in the U.S. Merchant Marine, including serving as an instructor and mentor to Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets after serving for greater than 30 years as a Merchant Marine Officer.
2017: Capt. Mark Phillips. In recognition of a 42-year career in the U.S. Merchant Marine, including serving as an instructor and mentor to Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets after serving for greater than 30 years as a Merchant Marine Officer.
2017: Capt. Konstantinos E. Malihoutsakis,
2019: Captain Michael Surgalski. In recognition of a 40-year career, and especially for his service as an instructor at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and as the first Master of the Training Ship State of Michigan.
2019: Timothy J. Nelson, President–Northwestern Michigan College. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is a division of Northwestern College. Timothy Nelson served as the College President from 2000 to 2019. During his tenure he undertook initiatives that resulted in the Academy moving from one where cadets would earn an associate degree and a license valid for service on the Great Lakes to one where all cadets received a bachelor's degree and a license valid for service on the Great Lakes and oceans.