THE AMERICAN SOCIETY
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 RADM Mathis and RADM Sargent present the Harold E. Saunders Award to Dr. Skolnick |
CITATION:
Dr. Skolnick has been a stalwart leader of naval engineering for nearly half of century. He is one of the nation's top experts in directed energy systems and it was his personal unwavering leadership and technical acumen that led to the successful testing of the first Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL) and the associated SEALITE Beam Director system in the early 1980's. This effort produced the most significant test results ever attained in DOD laser development in the shoot-down of four, small, high speed flying targets. Even after 20 years, its continuous output power remains the highest ever achieved in the United States. This work became the basis of all directed energy programs now be considered for warship combat systems providing the warfighter a critical capability against anti-ship cruise missiles.
Dr. Skolnick, however, did so much more than develop the laser weapon systems of the future; he developed the engineers needed to design and build these systems. As President of the American Society of Naval Engineers for two terms, he led the Society through its 100 anniversary celebration by driving membership to unprecedented levels. In addition, he visited nearly every section of ASNE throughout the country, provided inspirational and motivational leadership and council, promoting ASNE as the society for engineers interested in highly complex combat systems. Dr. Skolnick also educated the engineers of the future. For over 20 years he taught mathematics to college students at Marymount University and Northern Virginia Community College constantly being the promoter of importance of a strong technical education in support of our national defense.
His efforts throughout his career directly lead to advent of
the most capable warship weapon systems ever developed and an enormous increase
in the interest in naval engineering. His accomplishments are most worthy of
the acclaim of the American Society of Naval Engineers by presentation of the
prestigious Harold E. Saunders Award.