Photo Release: 12 Coast Guardsmen receive Navy Combat Action Ribbon

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/09/2017 11:27 AM EST

united states coast guard 

Photo Release  

Nov. 08, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712

12 Coast Guardsmen receive Navy Combat Action Ribbon

Vice Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander, speaks with members of the Maritime Security Response Team after presenting them with the Navy Combat Action Ribbon in Chesapeake, Va., Nov. 8, 2017. The awarding of the Combat Action Ribbon to the crew of the USS Mason and Coast Guardsmen who were aboard marks the first time in more than 25 years the Navy has officially recognized a ship crew a sea for coming under enemy fire. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Stanton. Vice Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander, presents 12 Coast Guardsmen assigned to the Maritime Security Response Team with the Navy Combat Action Ribbon in Chesapeake, Va., Nov. 8, 2017. The awarding of the Combat Action Ribbon to the crew of the USS Mason and Coast Guardsmen who were aboard marks the first time in more than 25 years the Navy has officially recognized a ship crew a sea for coming under enemy fire. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Stanton.

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Twelve Coast Guardsmen assigned to the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake were presented with the Navy Combat Action Ribbon Tuesday by Vice Adm. Karl Schultz, commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area.

The 12-man Coast Guard element was deployed aboard the USS Mason off the coast of Yemen last year when Houthi rebels attacked the USS Mason multiple times over a span of several days. During the multi-day attack, the rebels fired missiles at a group of U.S. Navy destroyers and other U.S. Navy vessels. In the engagements, the USS Mason screened the other vessels, employed effective countermeasures against the attacks and returned fire, allowing safe transit by the other vessels in the area.

“MSRT members are deployed to U.S. Central Command year round,"said Schultz. "This incident and awards are reminders of the Coast Guard’s dedication to supporting our DoD counterparts in protecting U.S. interests in the region.” 

The award marks the first time in more than 25 years the Navy has officially recognized a Coast Guard crew at sea for coming under enemy fire.

 

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