-Good day- I'm looking for some folks in the know to provide some history and feedback regarding the coveted Gunnery Award. Specifically, where was the award cast? What happened to the award from the 40's until the 80's (there's a lack of record of anyone receiving it). Rumor has it that it actaully disappeared for several years until someone "found it" and put it back into circulation. Was it held at G/I?
I'd really appreciate any and all history, stories and overall feedback on this award.
Senior We were recently told that we would be recieving the LANTARAEA award this year. I'll take a look when we get it. It may have a manufacturers mark someplace on it. I'll let you know.
GMCS, CG HQ may have some data that may assist you (?). CG Historian's office may (or may not) be of some assistance too. I also recommend locating a copy of the older / previous Ordnance Manual, CG 272. The CG 272 was precursor to the current COMDTINST 8000.2 Ordnance Manual. It may provide another piece to your puzzle. Good luck with your endeavor. –LTGunner-
Solicitation Number: HSCGG8-08-Q-MCM126 Notice Type: Special Notice Synopsis: Added: May 15, 2008 2:00 pm DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Coast Guard intends TO PROCURE TWENTY-FOUR 2-PIECE SOLID BRONZE CASTING WITH SILVER PLATED EAGLE GUNNERY AWARD PLAQUES.
NOTE 22. The proposed contract action is for supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with GERARD R DAVIS LTD under the authority of FAR 6.302. GERARD R DAVIS LTD DESIGNED THE CURRENT GUNNERY AWARD PLAQUES AND OWNS THE PROPRIETARY RIGHTS TO THE PLAQUE’S MOLDS. THE LAST GUNNERY AWARD PLAQUES WERE PURCHASED IN 1998. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
Contracting Office Address: U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters 2100 Second Street, SW, Room B411 Washington, District of Columbia 20593-0001
Place of Performance: USCG HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, District of Columbia 20593 United States
Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM: Never heard of it.....
Stan,
Both the USCG & USN have established Naval Gunnery Awards. As noted by the GMCS, the USCG re-established their award around 1998.
The USN has the THE JAMES F. CHEZEK MEMORIAL GUNNERY AWARD (OPNAV 3590.16C). The award was established in memory of Army Cpl. James F. Chezek, who was killed while storming Heartbreak Ridge in 1950, and is given out to the Atlantic / Pacific Fleet ship that receives the highest score on their NSFS / NGFS qualification.
From OPNAV INST 3590.16C:
quote:
This annual gunnery award was established in memory of Corporal James F. Chezek, United States Army, who was killed on 26 October 1950 while storming Heartbreak Ridge in north-central Korea. Corporal Chezek had previously been awarded the Purple Heart on 22 August 1950. A close relative donated a gift to the Navy and requested that the interest from this gift be used to establish an annual award in memory of Corporal Chezek, to be given to the highest scoring surface combatant gun crew and their directing officer. The competition is to be open to all surface combatants of the fleet and the prize money is to be divided equally at the end of the gunnery year. The original gift was invested by the Comptroller of the Navy and the interest, amounting to about $400 per year, was available for awarding the first prize at the end of fiscal year 1970.
Had never heard of that gunnery award either. The "E" awarded to the cutter for reftra performance and it's additional ribbon now awarded to the crew are also familiar.
Might be a project to see if it is a direct descendant of the Coast Guard "A" award mentioned in the 1930 uniform regulations. I'm betting that the "E" in parenthesis is a later addendum change to follow suit with the USN and call it the "E" award to ships and crews. They were suspended in WW2. When re-established after the war they adopted the ship award letters we are familiar with today.
Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM: Thanks for educating me LTGunner.
Interesting that the Navy chose to recognize an Army member this way.
Stan,
As I recall, Corporal Chezek's last letter home mentioned an offshore Naval Bombardment prior to a mission. The Corporal noted the accuracy by the naval gunners and was impressed. I'll have to go over to the Naval History library when I get back to the WNY in a couple of weeks.
Mastersmate, great info & Thanks! Another piece of the puzzle to develop the background of the USCG's Naval Gunnery Award (s).
As I recall, we were awarded the Chezek on the USS Spruace DD-963 after qualifying at Veicques Island circa 1996 or 1997.
Apparently some people were a bit upset an old tin can like the Spru beat out a shiny new AR DDG that used SatNav as opposed to our dead reckon/radar nav fixes.
All I can recall is we lost 0 points and got 4 or 5 points 'extra credit' so to speak and that put us over the top.
Good times...man, I miss blowing s*** up for a living.
