Man receives Navy commendation medal
April 4, 2012 3:30PM
Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Updated: May 6, 2012 8:04AM
Navy Chief Petty Officer Christopher M. Adams, the grandson of Adeline D. Kweiser of Joliet, was recently awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his professional achievement while serving as organizational maintenance management, next generation systems team leader and analyst at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic in Norfolk, Va.
Adams’ superb managerial skills resulted in 400 fleet trouble calls being resolved, 30 casualty reports being closed and nine naval tactical command support system databases completely rebuilt from various shore files and 52 records after catastrophic database failures occurred on the vessels.
Additionally, he worked closely with development, validation and verification teams to ensure software was completed, tested and supported prior to being released.
The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal was originally established as a ribbon-only award on Jan. 11, 1944. The current medal was authorized by the secretary of the Navy on March 22, 1950.
The medal is awarded for both heroism and meritorious achievement. To be awarded for heroism, the act must be worthy of recognition, but to a lesser degree than required for the Bronze Star Medal in combat or the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in a noncombat situation. To be awarded for meritorious achievement, the act must be outstanding and worthy of special recognition, but to a lesser degree than required for the Bronze Star Medal in combat or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medal when in a noncombat situation.
The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry. The medal is a bronze hexagon with the eagle from the Seal of the Department of Defense in the center. The reverse of the medal has a plaque for inscribing the recipient’s name and the raised words “FOR MILITARY” above the plaque and “MERIT” below the plaque. The ribbon is dark green with a narrow stripe of white near each edge.
Additional awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal are denoted by five-sixteenth inch gold stars. A Combat Distinguishing Device may be authorized.
For heroic and meritorious achievement or service, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is worn after the Joint Commendation Medal and before the Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Congratulations to Adams for a great achievement! He joined the Navy in July 1993, which gives him a total of 18 years of service.
Other military news
Derrick Jones, a former Joliet resident and a Desert Storm Marine veteran, has written his first book, “Presidents, Pilots and Entrepreneurs.” His book is available for purchase on amazon.com.
Jones resides in New York with his wife and family. He is the son of Carolyn Holifield of Plainfield.
Jean Edwards seeks veterans to write about in this column that runs every Thursday. Call 815-773-7172 or email jedwards@stmedianetwork.com.
