KINGS POINT, N.Y., May 2, 2023 – On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Rear Admiral John W. Mauger, First District Commander (D1), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) delivered the keynote address during the 34th Battle Standard Dinner at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).

The Battle Standard Dinner honors the memories of the 142 USMMA Cadet-Midshipmen who lost their lives during World War II and takes time to remember recent graduates who lost their lives serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

After rendering honors to Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Maritime Administrator, and the National Anthem, Lieutenant Commander Mark Beaudet, USN, Command Chaplain, led the invocation. Then, the Class of 2023 proposed a series of four toasts: to the National Ensign, the Commander and Chief, fallen comrades, and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Afterward, First Class Midshipman Paige Smith, Regimental Officer directed everyone’s attention to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal, which was prominently displayed centerstage. The Congressional Gold Medal Act, which was passed in 2020, recognizes WWII Merchant Mariners, who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, in what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called “the most difficult and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken. 

Then, Midshipmen Smith introduced three honored guests of the “Greatest Generation;” Captain Hugh Stephens, who worked his way up from Ordinary Seaman in while serving on the perilous “Mermansk Run”, Captain DiMattia, President of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, and Thomas Reilly, Class of 1946, who reported to USMMA in 1944, at age 17. Reilly participated in convoys going to England, Italy, and the South Pacific during the war. 

After honoring these heroes, Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan, Superintendent, and Adm. Phillips presented a plaque to Congressman Thomas Suozzi for his “outstanding service to USMMA’s Board of Visitors as Chairman and member from March 7, 2017, to January 3, 2023,” and for his unwavering support of USMMA.  

After a few words from Congressman Suozzi, Vice Adm. Nunan introduced the keynote speaker, Rear Adm. Mauger, “he is a great ally to all of us on the campus, to MARAD headquarters, in Washington, to all our cadets at sea, and soon to all of you, young military and maritime professionals.”

The theme of Admiral remarks was, "Navigating the Decisive Decade: Rising to the Challenges Ahead."

He said, “The term ‘Decisive Decade’ comes from the National Security Strategy which articulates the challenges and opportunities we face as a nation. The strategy describes the operating environment that you and your classmates will face upon graduation. At the same time, this next decade will be pivotal in your own personal growth and development, and you will have to summon the courage of the 142 midshipmen we honor tonight and lean on the hard lessons learned here at Kings Point in order to meet these professional and personal challenges. “

Mauger continued, “While that may seem daunting, they are challenges that we’ve successfully faced before thanks to the bravery and service of the 142 and others gathered here tonight, including our Gold Star Families and Congressional Gold Medal recipients. I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices our Gold Star Families have made for our nation. To the Donnelly and Seesan families, thank you for being here tonight and continuing to honor the legacy of your loved one and uplifting our future service members.”

At the conclusion of his speech, Adm. Mauger was joined by Vice Adm. Nunan, Captain Mike Stroud, Commandant of Midshipmen, and the Seesan Family, who presented the First Lieutenant Aaron N. Seesan Memorial Award for excellence in military leadership and ethics to Midshipman First Class Demme Kraut. The award is given in memory of Army First Lieutenant Aaron Seesan, Class of 2003, who lost his life in Mosul, Iraq, on May 22^nd, 2005, while serving with the 73^rd Engineer Company, out of Fort Lewis, Washington. 

Then, Melissa Donnelly, Class of 2007, stepped on stage for the presentation of the 1^st Lt William J. Donnelly IV Award in memory of her brother, Will Donnelly, Class of 2008, who was killed in action while leading Marines of 3^rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan on November 25^th, 2010. The Donnelly family presented this award to Midshipman First Class Morgan Fortin, “who best demonstrates the qualities of Leadership, Mentorship, & Service to Others.”

The evening ended with the USMMA Regimental Band, “George M. Cohan’s Own,” playing the service medley in honor of all who have, will, and are currently serving in the U.S. military. Then everyone joined in singing the Alma Mater.

The Congressional Gold Medal is permanently displayed at the American Merchant Marine Museum, on the grounds of USMMA.

###

ABOUT USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.