ALCOAST 006/26 - JAN 2026 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2025 HOPLEY YEATON CUTTER EXCELLENCE AND SUPERIOR CUTTERMAN AWARDS

R 081337Z JAN 26   MID320018456166U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 006/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2025 HOPLEY YEATON CUTTER EXCELLENCE
AND SUPERIOR CUTTERMAN AWARDS
1. I am honored to announce and congratulate the recipients of the
2025 Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence and Superior Cutterman Awards.
The winners were selected from amongst a highly competitive pool of
nominees. The winners of the 2025 Hopley Yeaton Awards are:
    a. Cutter Excellence Award:
        (1) Large Cutter: USCGC STONE (WMSL 758)
        (2) Medium Cutter: USCGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620)
        (3) Small Cutter: USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE (WPC 1141)
    b. Superior Cutterman Award:
(1) Officer: LCDR Donald Rudnickas - USCGC SPAR (WLB 206)
(2) Enlisted: EMC Marc Mouton - USCGC SPAR (WLB 206)
2. Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award (Large) - USCGC STONE
(WMSL 758):
    a. STONE set a new fleet standard for operational excellence.
During two counter-narcotic patrols, STONE's crew received national
praise for record-breaking missions. These patrols included the
interdiction of JIATF-S's largest drug-laden low-profile vessel and
a historic simultaneous interdiction of four go-fast vessels. On its
most recent deployment, the crew executed the largest multi-target
drug seizure in JIATF-S history. Building on their counter-drug
success, STONE shared 28 intelligence reports on evolving smuggling
tactics and pioneered the operational testing of the new MQ-25 V-BAT
UAS, providing valuable feedback for system upgrades. The crew's
tactical proficiency, built through extensive flight and gunnery
training, resulted in a flawless Aviation Facilities Certification
and the Atlantic Area Operational Excellence award. STONE's
dedication also extends to the community, with significant volunteer
efforts in Charleston and strong support for crew and family morale.
    b. Honorable Mentions for the Large Cutter Award:
        (1) USCGC KIMBALL (WMSL 756)
        (2) USCGC STRATTON (WMSL 752)
3. Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award (Medium) - USCGC RESOLUTE
(WMEC 620):
    a. RESOLUTE demonstrated remarkable resilience and readiness
when, just days after returning home to the devastation left by
Hurricane Helene, the crew led a Surface Action Group to safety
ahead of Hurricane Milton and was the first national asset offshore
Tampa Bay, providing uninterrupted comms coverage through
reconstitution of port operations. Once their mission to restore the
MTS was complete, RESOLUTE worked together to recover from the
personal impacts of the back-to-back storms where 40% of the crew
suffered damage to vehicles and homes. Highlighting the deep
commitment to its members, the Command also secured $40,000 in
disaster relief the crew and their families. While deployed with
Joint Task Force Southern Guard, the crew staged over 40 tons of
material and provided critical migrant security training. In the
Eastern Pacific, RESOLUTE interdicted nearly six metric tons of
cocaine. This included a successful joint operation with the DEA
and FBI to seize two metric tons of cocaine and detain a high-value
cartel operative. The cutter's engineering department set a new
standard for the fleet, conducting the Coast Guard's first-ever full
engine change-out on a Cutter Boat-Large and implementing an onboard
3D printing capability.
    b. Honorable Mentions for the Medium Cutter Award:
        (1) USCGC SPENCER (WMEC 905)
        (2) USCGC ELM (WLB 204)
4. Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award (Small) - USCGC CHARLES
MOULTHROPE (WPC 1141):
a. CHARLES MOULTHROPE distinguished itself through exceptional
operational achievements and crew resilience. Deployed with Patrol
Forces Southwest Asia, it completed 21 transits of the Strait of
Hormuz, escorting 12 high-value commercial vessels and defending
against 14 interactions with armed Iranian forces. Pioneering the
COUNTER HOUTHI CAMPAIGN, CHARLES MOULTHROPE's crew denied weapons
smuggling to terrorists, resulting in two seizures of advanced
conventional weapons. During the 12-Day War, the cutter led a
Surface Action Group of five Fast Response cutters, coordinating
defensive maneuvers for multinational assets under missile threats.
The crew's technical prowess was highlighted when they restored a
catastrophic power failure in five hours, far surpassing a
three-week repair estimate, which enabled the completion of their
patrol. Despite a 40% crew turnover, CHARLES MOULTHROPE achieved a
99% satisfaction rate on its training assessment and was the first
to pass the rigorous TSTA 2.0 inspection. Alongside these demanding
duties, the crew dedicated 456 volunteer hours, demonstrating a
profound commitment to their unique homeport community.
    b. Honorable Mentions for the Small Cutter Award:
        (1) USCGC ISAAC MAYO (WPC 1112)
        (2) USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR (WPC 1147)
5. Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award (Officer) - LCDR Donald
Rudnickas - USCGC SPAR (WLB 206):
    a. LCDR Donald Rudnickas demonstrated exemplary leadership and
skill as Commanding Officer of CGC SPAR. After an unexpected relief
of the CO and XO during the busiest time on the Great Lakes, the
District Commander hand-selected LCDR Rudnickas to assume command,
and he quickly proved to be exactly the right choice. He led his
crew to decommission 115 buoys in 63 days, many in arduous ice
conditions, before immediately transitioning to Operation TACONITE,
the largest domestic icebreaking operation enabling the safe passage
of over $100 million in cargo. As the sole qualified ice pilot, he
trained his crew in all aspects of icebreaking, including high-risk
maneuvers like a daring close-quarters rescue of a vessel trapped in
ice and drifting toward rocks. Beyond operational excellence,
LCDR Rudnickas fostered an exceptionally positive command climate.
His infectious optimism and mentorship were directly responsible for
a dramatic turnaround in crew retention, inspiring several members
who had planned to separate from the service to re-enlist and extend
their tours. He also effectively engaged with the public and media,
showcasing the Coast Guard's critical mission to an audience of over
85,000 people. His steadfast leadership in the face of adversity,
combined with his technical expertise and commitment to his crew
mark him as a truly superior Cutterman.
    b. Honorable Mentions for the Superior Cutterman Award (Officer):
        (1) LCDR Matthew Miller - USCGC KIMBALL (WMSL 756)
        (2) LCDR Matthew Panciocco - USCGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620)
6. Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award (Enlisted) -
EMC Marc Mouton - USCGC SPAR (WLB 206):
    a. EMC Mouton exemplifies the selfless service and exceptional
proficiency that serve as the foundation of a Cutterman's character.
In SPAR, he was everywhere and everything at once: Command Chief,
Chief Electrician, acting Engineer Officer, leader of engineering
and damage control training teams, 1-in-3 inport and underway
watchstander, mechanic, and buoy deck crane operator. His
leadership, tireless effort, and expertise kept the cutter mission
capable through 2,500 operational hours that included a 300%
increase in their ATON workload, 30 days of icebreaking, and a
successful CART/TSTA training evaluation. Though an electrician by
specialty, he was hands-on with major mechanical repairs to the
reduction gear and main diesel engine, among others. As training
team leader and acting EO he fully committed himself to training the
crew, ensuring mission readiness and preserving continuity of
knowledge on the platform. The results were evident through stellar
scores from 72 evaluated drills during TSTA, and EMC receiving a
"Most Valuable Player" award from the evaluators. As Command Chief,
EMC Mouton was the CO's trusted advisor and counsel through numerous
crises, providing a steadying and positive influence that was vital
for crew morale. His leadership directly resulted in safe mission
execution and a significant increase in crew retention, as
demonstrated by six of seven members planning to leave the service
re-enlisting or extending their contracts. His selfless dedication
and can-do attitude embody the highest ideals of a Superior
Cutterman, making a lasting impact on the ship and crew.
    b. Honorable Mentions for the Superior Cutterman Award
(Enlisted):
        (1) BMC Matthew Travis - USCGC DILIGENCE (WMEC 616)
        (2) OS1 Lucas Hatton - USCGC STONE (WMSL 758)
7. As you may have noticed, this is a truly noteworthy year, as both
Superior Cutterman Award winners are serving in SPAR. While we
received nominations for several amazing officer and enlisted
cuttermen, and both members rose to the top on their own merit, this
leadership team truly stands out. The cutter's accomplishments, and
the adversity and leadership challenges they overcame to achieve
them, were remarkable, and only touched on in this message.
Captain Yeaton would certainly be proud to have his name associated
with these cuttermen. We are certainly proud of them.
8. The winners will be recognized at the 2026 Surface Navy
Association (SNA) National Symposium, which will be held in
Washington, DC from 13-15 January, 2026.
9. Bravo Zulu and many congratulations to this year's Hopley Yeaton
Award recipients and nominees. This year's recipients were selected
by panels consisting of 22 Active Duty and retired Cuttermen from
the ranks of E7 to O6 who collectively represented all aspects of
the cutter fleet. The volume of praiseworthy nominees, as well as
the high quality of the award submissions, continues to impress.
Thank you to all Commands for submitting and reviewing nominations!
10. POC: LT Jackson T. Carpenter (Jackson.T.Carpenter@uscg.mil).
11. RDML Amy B. Grable, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.