GW Chief Receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
2nd annual award recognizes strong leadership
06 November 2014
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician(AW/SW/EXW/IDW) Carl M. Thompson of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington's Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department could not have even dreamed that he would receive an award for simply living his life.
But that is what happened when he was nominated and then selected to received the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
This prestigious award was established by the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation in 2013 and is intended to recognize one active Major League Baseball (MLB) player, one National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) member and one chief petty officer in the Navy to represent three critical areas of Feller's life: his MLB career, his enshrinement in the NBHOF and his service in the Navy as a chief petty officer.
"This is a tremendous honor and such a humbling experience," said Thompson. "I am overwhelmed and extremely excited at the same time. I am extremely grateful for all the teachers, mentors and community leaders who I have learned from."
Recipients are chosen based on their professional performance, community leadership through volunteer service, and living the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.
"Throughout my career, I have volunteered my time and services to the communities I have been part of," said Thompson. "I've always tried to make myself and those around me better, personally and professionally, to strengthen not only each individual Sailor, but the command and the Navy as a whole. It's pretty amazing how even little actions can make a positive impacts in people's lives."
Thompson, who has been awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal on two separate occasions in 2005 and 2010, is currently the leading chief petty officer of George Washington's calibration laboratory, which supports 18 departments, 71 aircraft with the ship's embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and the entire George Washington Carrier Strike Group.
"Thompson's significant and lasting contributions to the Navy's mission, the development of his Sailors, and his legacy of community service are a testimony of his faithful adherence to the Navy Corps Values," said Master Chief Gregory L. Della, AIMD leading chief petty officer. "He has shown true measure of his character through his exemplary performance, unyielding professionalism, and selfless devotion to his community. He is a shining example of what Bob Feller embodied."
Bob Feller was an MLB pitcher, a NBHOF inductee, and a Navy veteran who left his Cleveland Indians pitching career to enlist in the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor where served as a gun captain aboard USS Alabama (BB 60), earning eight battle stars and retired as a chief petty officer.
"I definitely want to thank all the Sailors who pushed me to strive throughout my career," said Thompson. "I especially want to thank my wife, Sarah, and our kids for supporting me and understanding the importance of my duties in the military. It's not always easy for them when we have to deploy in service to our country."