Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Johans Chavarro | 150526-N-IU636-131 PEARL HARBOR (May 26, 2015) Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. William...... read more read more
Subscribe
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. William Truelove, commander, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), presented Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, and Cdr. Todd E. Hutchison, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), with the Canadian Forces’ Unit Commendation during a commendation ceremony aboard Michael Murphy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 26.
Truelove presented Williams and Hutchison with the commendation for Navy Region Hawaii and USS Michael Murphy’s roles in the rescue efforts of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur (AOR 509) in February 2014 after suffering a fire several hundred miles off the coast of Hawaii during its transit back to Esquimalt, British Columbia.
During the ceremony, Truelove expressed his thanks and appreciation to those in attendance, and the crew of Michael Murphy, for their resiliency and hard work during the recovery operations of Protecteur.
“I look you all in the eye and I tell you, on behalf of the crew of Protecteur, and the families of all of those of the crew of Protecteur, how appreciative they are,” said Truelove.
“Our history of operating together goes back generations and it’s founded in trust, confidence and mutual respect that allows us, as great allies, to go to sea and depend on each other,” said Truelove. “Know that we appreciate what you’ve done, know that we stand ready to serve with you anywhere in the world, at any time, to make sure that our continent stays safe and secure.”
Michael Murphy was first to arrive on scene immediately after the fire occurred early morning Feb. 28. Shortly after, Chosin arrived on scene and commenced towing operations while transporting food and water to Protecteur via embarked helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 37).
As first responders, Hutchison said the crew of Michael Murphy was just doing what they knew needed to be done to help fellow sailors.
“Were the tables turned and the Protecteur had been around, or [HMCS] Calgary, or any of the other Canadian ships, I know they would have gone at max speed to help us out as well,” said Hutchison. “The true honor and privilege was to be able to provide assistance to a country that has been such a staunch ally to the United States. But to know they haven’t forgotten and to have Admiral Truelove take the time to come over and address the crew, and present the flag and the certificate and the medallion, I can’t put into words how much it means.”
Yeoman 3rd Class Russell Johnson Jr., a Sailor stationed aboard Michael Murphy, echoed Hutchison’s sentiments and added how much he and the crew of Michael Murphy appreciated the time Truelove took to show his gratitude for their service.
“The fact that [Rear Adm. Truelove] came out here and took his time to give us these awards, talk to us and show us his gratitude, and thank, us really makes the crew feel good,” said Johnson.
In the end, despite how hard he and the crew aboard Michael Murphy worked to provide whatever assistance they could to Protecteur, Hutchison said the real heroes were those who managed to control the dangerous situation on board Protecteur without any loss of life.
“Any actions that we did pale in comparison to the actions of all of the sailors and officers on board HMCS Protecteur who worked tirelessly night and day, without sleep and in horrible conditions, to save that ship in the face of tremendous danger,” said Hutchison. “I think it’s important we remember the true heroes were those on board the Protecteur, those sailors and officers who saved that ship and had no loss of life.”
The Canadian Forces’ Unit Commendation is awarded to any formation, unit or sub-unit of the Canadian Forces (CF), or to any similar organization of a foreign armed force working with or in conjunction with the CF, that has performed a deed or activity considered beyond the demand of normal duty.
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 18:13 |
| Story ID: | 164835 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 2,357 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Canadian Admiral Commends Pearl Harbor Sailors for ‘A Job Well Done’, by PO2 Johans Chavarro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
