ALCGPSC 128/20 - ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2020 JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICA (JINSA) GRATEFUL NATION AWARD COAST GUARD RECIPIENT

4 NOV 2020

UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCGPSC 128/20
SUBJ:  ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2020 JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY OF AMERICA (JINSA) GRATEFUL NATION AWARD COAST GUARD
RECIPIENT
1. I am pleased to announce that Senior Chief Kenneth Kimball, currently assigned at Sector Long Island Sound New Haven, CT has been selected for recognition at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America Annual Grateful Nation Award Ceremony. The awards ceremony will be held virtually and released via video in mid-to-late November 2020.  
2. Senior Chief Kimball displayed exceptional service during a one-year deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as the senior enlisted advisor for the crew of USCGC AQUIDNECK (WPB-1309). Embodying the highest standards of ethical conduct and personal integrity, his open and staunch support of active duty members struggling with mental health issues during the pendency and as a result of deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, Senior Chief Kimball’s actions left a lasting impact on the mission and crew.
3. During the deployment, Senior Chief Kimball demonstrated superior devotion to duty by immediately recognizing the incredible hardship incurred by families and made a personal commitment to improve communications between warzone-deployed members and their loved ones. In addition to his Engineering Petty Officer (EPO) duties, (then) Chief Kimball drafted individual letters to each family, highlighting the selfless sacrifices and personal accomplishments of their service members. His efforts directly bolstered the family support structure while the crew served over 6,000 miles away. 
4. Upon returning home from deployment, Senior Chief Kimball personally experienced the very real challenges of rapid reintegration back into normal society and the unforeseen, lasting effects of operating in a warzone environment. Recognizing similar challenges in other members of the crew, Senior Chief Kimball took swift action to assist dozens of shipmates dealing with anxiety,
depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Demonstrating superior initiative, he personally led a crisis help-line for Coast Guard members returning from PATFORSWA, assisting dozens of members re-acclimating to normal work and personal life through phone calls, letters, and electronic means. Providing a support network to help ease the transition, he acted as a sounding board to offer guidance, support, and professional resources to address alcohol abuse, behavioral challenges, and suicidal thoughts.
5. Notably, Senior Chief Kimball also distinguished himself operationally as the EPO onboard USCGC AQUIDNECK. During the deployment, he led comprehensive repairs to the ship’s oily water separator, brominator, and hydraulic fin systems, which had been inoperable for over six months when he reported aboard. Restoring the cutter to fully mission capable, he enabled the completion of over 3,500 operation patrol hours in the Northern Arabian Gulf to support maritime security operations and the defense of Iraq’s critical offshore oil infrastructure. Further, his unparalleled judgement as the Boat Deck Supervisor proved critical in the safe execution of more than 250 small boat evolutions to include hundreds of high intensity intercepts involving Iraqi and Iranian vessels.
6. Senior Chief Kimball is a consummate professional, a decorated service member, and an inspirational leader who epitomizes the Coast Guard core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. From his service, we have garnered a better understanding and appreciation of the challenges of overseas deployment and a new respect for the sacrifices and struggle endured by all service members returning home. This recognition appropriately recognizes his efforts.
7. LT Brittany Zirulnick (currently assigned to CG ICC in Washington, DC) was also nominated for this prestigious award. Bravo Zulu to LT Zirulnick for noteworthy contributions to our national security.   
8. Please direct questions to ARL.Medals (at) uscg.mil.
9. RDML S. N. Gilreath, Commander, CG Personnel Service Center.  The Service Center for our most important resource – Our People, sends.
10. Internet Release Authorized.