Robert E. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award
The Robert E. Mitchell Award was initiated in 1996 in honor of Captain Robert E. Mitchell, MC, USN for his 43 years of exemplary Naval service and numerous contributions to Naval Aerospace Medicine.
Captain Mitchell is best known for his contributions to two long-term aeromedical research projects: the “Thousand Aviators” study and the “Repatriated Prisoner of Wars” study.
This award is designated to recognize an emeritus Naval Flight Surgeon for their career contributions to promoting and advancing the knowledge and science of aerospace and operational medicine.
Recipients:
2023 CAPT (Ret.) Kris M. Belland
2022 CAPT G. Merrill Rice
2021 CAPT Edwin Y. Park
2019 CAPT Walter W. Dalitsch
2018 CAPT (Ret.) William A. McDonald
2017 CAPT (Ret.) Charles Reese
2016 CAPT Jay S. Dudley
(posthumously awarded)
2015 CAPT Richard A. Beane
2014 CAPT Nick Davenport
2013 CAPT (Ret.) J. R. Heil
2011 CAPT (Ret.) Fanancy L. Anzalone
2010 CAPT (Ret.) James C. Baker
2008 CAPT James R. Fraser
2006 CAPT (Ret.) E. J. Sacks
2005 CDR Jay Phelan
2004 CAPT (Ret.) Terrence Riley
2003 CAPT (Ret.) E. J. Sacks,
2002 CAPT (Ret.) Conrad I. Dalton
2001 not awarded
2000 CAPT (Ret.) Charles H. Bercier, Jr.
1999 RADM (Ret.) Daniel B. Lestage
1998 CAPT (Ret.) Frank E. Dully
1997 CAPT (Ret.) Frank H. Austin, Jr.
1996 CAPT (Ret.) Robert E. Mitchell
2009 CAPT Henry Porter
Richard E. Luehrs Award for Operational Flight Surgeon of the Year
The Luehrs Award is the longest running award sponsored by the Society. It was initiated in 1975 in honor of Captain Richard E. Luehrs, MC, USN. Dr. Luehrs is a legend in the Naval Aeromedical community. His career spanned 32 years of exemplary service ending in his untimely death in 1974.
The Luehrs Award is given annually to recognize outstanding performance in operational aviation medicine practice by a first or second tour Naval Flight Surgeon of the rank of Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander.
Selection is based on leadership qualities, dedication, initiative, resourcefulness and industry in carrying out their duties with the operational forces.
Recipients:
2022 LT Colin Johnson
2021 LT Phillipe Warren
2020 LT Yusof Becker
2019 LT Erik A. Kumetz
2018 LT Alicia McClintock
2017 LT Katherine Lee
2016 LT Matthew T. Hall
2015 LT Alyson Brinker
2014 LCDR Mark Debuse
2013 LCDR Wayne Burr
2006 LCDR Miguel Aguilera
2005 LCDR Sarah Arnold
2004 LT Michael W. Nielsen
2003 LT Christopher H. Way
2002 LT Christopher B. Chisholm
2001 LT Sean Barbabella
2000 LT Alfred Shwayhat
1999 LT Sean Murphy
1998 LT Troy Anderson
1997 LT William Todd III
1996 LT William Baugh
1995 LT Barth Merrill
1994 LT Joseph Shaughnessy
1993 LT Kris Belland
1992 LT Gregory Polston
1991 LCDR Glenn Merchant
1990 CDR Joel Lees
1989 LCDR Daniel Carucci
1988 LCDR Charles Brady, Jr.
1987 LCDR David Brown
1986 LCDR Ivan Peacock
1985 CDR Harold Howell
1984 LT Arthur Kelleher
1983 LCDR Steven Hart
1982 LT James Terbush
1981 LT Jerry Rose
1980 LT Thomas Daniel
1979 LCDR Ed Ellenbeck
1978 LCDR Bruce Johnson
1977 LT Willis Martin
1976 LT Wayne Judson
1975 LCDR John Randolph
Captain Bruce W. Jackson Award for Reserve Flight Surgeon of the Year
The Bruce W. Jackson Award, begun in 1999, is given annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of aerospace medicine as a Reservist and service to those Sailors and Marines that depend on their Flight Surgeon for their health and safety in peacetime and in war.
Recipients:
2022 CDR Jennifer A. Murr
2021 CDR Lance L. Davis
2020 CDR Jennifer A. Murr
2019 CAPT Billy R. Ledbetter
2018 CDR Joseph E. Allen
2017 LCDR Jason Guillian
2016 CDR Frank Villamaria
2015 not awarded
2014 CAPT Homas R. Flipse
2012 CAPT Michael J. MacDonald
2007 CAPT Joseph P. Dervay
2006 CDR Mark G. Hoffman
2005 not awarded
2004 not awarded
2003 CAPT John A. McGurty
2002 CDR Daniel H. Serrato
2001 not awarded
2000 CAPT Guillermo Salazar
1999 RADM (Ret.) James R. Fowler
Sonny Carter Memorial Award
The Sonny Carter Memorial Award was instituted in 1993 in memory of Captain Manley Lanier “Sonny” Carter, Jr., MC, USN. The award recognizes the Medical Corps or Medical Service Corps Officer who has made the most significant contribution towards improving the health, safety, and welfare of operational forces by promoting communication and teamwork among the aeromedical communities.
Before his death in 1992, Sonny Carter was a legend in Aerospace Medicine. As a Naval Officer, Naval Aviator, Flight Surgeon, and member of the Astronaut Corps, he was respected for his technical abilities, energy, and dedication to his profession, and probably most of all, for his ability to inspire others. The Sonny Carter Award recipient is judged not only on accomplishments in the last year but also on a career history of aeromedical community involvement.
Criteria for selection include: resourcefulness and dedication in promoting and accomplishing operational medical support; demonstrated leadership in forming and promoting teamwork among the various aeromedical specialties; demonstrated professionalism, integrity, unselfishness and respect for all aeromedical communities; demonstrated communication skills, and embodiment of the spirit of cooperation.
Recipients:
2023 CAPT Alfred F. Shwayhat
2022 CAPT Paul J. DeMieri
2021 CDR Allen Hoffman
2020 LT Michael Natali
2018 CAPT Matthew Rings
2017 CAPT Cliff Blumenberg
2016 not awarded
2015 LCDR Daniel L. Immeker
2014 LT Todd A. Anderson
2006 CDR William D. Agerton
2005 LT Matthew Lawrence
2004 LT Kenneth J. Moses
2003 CDR Gale G. Goyins
2002 CDR John J. Lee
2001 LT Alexander S. Brough
2000 CDR Kris M. Belland
1999 CDR P. Glenn Merchant
1998 CAPT Donald C. Arthur
1997 LT Jeffrey M. Andrews
1996 not awarded
1995 LT Marva L. Wheeler
Ashton Graybiel Award
The Ashton Graybiel Award was initiated in 1991 in honor of Captain Ashton Graybiel, MC, USN, who pioneered aviation medicine research. Dr. Graybiel served as Director of Naval Research for the Naval School of Aviation Medicine and Research. He provided consultation for many experiments undertaken by the school and was an acknowledged expert in the field of cardiovascular medicine.
His work included the development of electrocardiographic techniques, experimentation with flight disorientation, studies on the physiological effects of altitude on humans, and work with the “Thousand Aviators Study.” He is affectionately referred to as the “Father of Naval Aerospace Medical Research.” This award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the medical literature by members of the Society of U.S. Naval Flight Surgeons in support of some operational issue in Aerospace Medicine that has made a significant contribution with promise of long-term impact on the health and safety of aviation.
Eligible recipients of this award have conducted or have been involved in an original research project and their papers published within the past year. By convention, only those papers published in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine are considered, unless the awards committee is made award of papers published elsewhere.
Recipients:
2023 LCDR James B. Walsh
2022 LCDR Sadie M. Henry
2021 LT Alicia C. Smith
2019 not awarded
2018 Dr. Charles A. DeJohn
2017 Dr. Lincoln G. Ropp
2016 CDR Thomas E. Sather
2015 LCDR Michael B. Prudhomme
2014 LCDR Sarah Blythe-Ballard
2006 LCDR Merrill G. Rice
2005 LCDR David M. DeLonga
2004 not awarded
2003 LCDR Merrill G. Rice
2002 LCDR Eric Bower
2001 CDR David G. McGowan
2000 CDR Jennifer Berg / CDR Jeffrey L. Moore
1999 MAJ Carl M. Walker
1998 CDR (Ret.) Victoria M. Voge
1997 CDR Elwood W. Hopkins III
1996 not awarded
1995 CAPT Nader K. Takla
1994 CDR Michael H. Mittleman
1993 not awarded
1992 Jonathan Bailey Clark
Cornelius N. “Fritz” Koppy-John R. “Rick” Garmeson Aerospace Medicine Technician (AVT) of the Year Award
The Cornelius N. “Fritz” Koppy-John R. “Rick” Garmeson Aerospace Medicine Technician (AVT) of the Year Award is presented to the outstanding AVT of the year. Beginning in 2020, separate Senior and Junior AVT Awards are given.
Recipients:
2022 Senior Award: HM1 Christopher Viers / Junior Award: HM3 Elyana Randles
2021 Senior Award: HM1 Robert Harbaugh / Junior Award: HM3 Tu Tran
2020 Senior Award: HM1 Marilyn McCormick / Junior Award: HM3 Roshelle Hodges
2019 HN Diega E. Magana
2018 HM2 Frederick Turner
2017 HM1 Omar A. Garcia
2016 HM1 Diana M. Jucutan
2015 HM1 Dishern D. Tucker
2014 HM1 Merly Maltezo
2005 Lawrence Comdeco
2004 HM1 Webster F. Nicholson
2003 HM1 Judy K. Tarpley
2002 HM3 Jason J. Legare
2001 HM1 Michael G. Stahl
Master Chief Robert Edward Brown Search and Rescue Medical Technician (SMT) of the Year Award
The Master Chief Robert Edward Brown Search and Rescue Medical Technician (SMT) of the Year Award is presented to the outstanding SMT of the year. This award is new beginning in 2022.
Recipients:
2022 HM1 Blake Campbell