THE AMERICAN SOCIETY
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 CDR Carl N. Strawbridge, USN |
In recognition of outstanding leadership and technical achievement in the discharge of naval engineering duties in the Fleet. Commander Carl N. Strawbridge, U.S. Navy, while serving as Repair Officer aboard USS Acadia (AD 42) from 1985 to 1987 has been recognized officially as exemplary in achieving the type commander's goals of self sufficiency and effective and efficient use of resources with numerous initiatives and accomplishments cited in the areas of both scheduled and voyage ship repairs, including nuclear system repairs.
A particularly fateful responsibility then fell to Commander Strawbridge when the Acadia was tasked in 1987 to repair, on site in the Persian Gulf, the battle damage incurred by USS Stark (FFG 3 1). In the' role of coordinator of the entire repair effort, Commander Strawbridge demonstrated the highest levels of engineering technical knowledge, industrial management skills and professional supervisory leadership, such that the result was a two week early completion and flawless sea trials for Stark. Based on the experience gained by Acadia in effecting these repairs, Commander Strawbridge then prepared a comprehensive battle damage "Lessons Learned" package to improve FFG class capability for battle damage repair.
As Repair Officer aboard Acadia, Commander Strawbridge has demonstrated personal resourcefulness, forceful leadership and industrial competence which are in the highest traditions of U.S. Fleet support engineering, serving both the Navy and the Nation at a time of critical need. Such performance qualifies him as most worthy to receive the Claud A. Jones Award for 1987, and to be the first recipient of that Award.