CGR National Awards

This award is named after Rear Admiral Bennett “Bud” Sparks, who championed the integration of reserve and active duty workforces to achieve overall unit readiness. The award is presented to the unit that is judged to be most supportive of an operationally ready Coast Guard Reserve force, as demonstrated by its effective use and support of the Reserve force during the previous fiscal year.

Category 1: Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu are recognized for outstanding performance demonstrated by their seamless integration of Reservists into the Active Duty workforce, providing mission-ready support as a critical force multiplier. In Fiscal Year 2023, Sector Honolulu Reservists rose to the challenge of multiple significant, highly dynamic, and multi-faceted operational responses, with each catastrophic incident requiring a significant investment of personnel, resources, and leadership.

In May 2023, Typhoon MAWAR struck Guam with devastating force. The storm caused island-wide power and water outages, affecting over 170,000 residents. Sector Honolulu swiftly deployed Reservists to coordinate response efforts with Sector Guam’s geographically isolated area of responsibility. Within 72 hours, the Port of Guam and the surrounding Marianas were reopened. Despite the challenges—92% of the population without power and 65% without water—additional Reservists facilitated logistical operations, including the safe removal of hazardous waste, expediting the return of Coast Guard and civilian families returned to their homes as recovery efforts continued.

In August 2023, wildfires ravaged 7,000 acres of Maui, Hawaii, causing $6 billion in damages and resulting in the complete loss of 2,200 structures, including the historic town and harbor of Lahaina. 24 Reservists (39% of Sector’s Reserve force) joined a multiagency effort to respond to the disaster, recover the port, and support the local community in restoration efforts. Sector Honolulu Reservists were integral in saving 17 lives, assisting 40 people in peril, enforcing a dynamic six nautical miles of safety zone, extracting more than 90 impacted vessels obstructing the harbor, and removing over 10,000 gallons of petroleum products and 24,000 pounds of hazardous materials from the sensitive marine environment.

Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu!

Category 2: Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 309

Coast Guard Sector Port Security Unit (PSU) 309 are recognized for standing as a beacon of operational excellence, meticulously honing its readiness through rigorous training regimens, medical preparedness, and ensuring currency in qualifications. Reservists have exhibited ingenuity and adaptability, elevating mission effectiveness to new heights.

In March 2023, PSU 309 conducted exercise TRIDENT FORGE. The unit demonstrated exceptional mobility proficiency with 120-unit members, including augmentation from PSU 307, Pacific Area, Sector Long Island Sound, Maritime Expeditionary Squadron 10, Station Panama City and Station Dolphin Island. With personnel and assets geographically dispersed between two training locations spanning over 200 miles, they seamlessly executed joint mission objectives from a single Tactical Operations Center and qualified a total of 375 members in 16 program areas.

PSU 309 blazed a trail of innovation by spearheading the first-ever Embarked Security Team detachment in Guam, a testament to their unyielding dedication to expanding capabilities. Handpicked from a pool of the finest, 15 personnel embarked on a nine-month pilot with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, equipped with specialized Navy expertise acquired through rigorous training. This pioneering endeavor addressed national security challenges in the maritime domain, safeguarding critical assets, and fostering regional stability.

Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 309​!

The Reserve Organization of America (ROA) annually presents the Reserve Outstanding Junior Officer Award to the Coast Guard Reserve junior officer judged to exemplify those characteristics expected of an outstanding junior officer during the past fiscal year.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Anthony Emanuele, Coast Guard Reserve Unit U.S. Northern Command

LT Anthony Emanuele excelled in his contributions to the Coast Guard through his leadership, performance of duties, public service, and dedication to lifelong learning.

LT Emanuele identified multiple opportunities to facilitate engagements between senior Coast Guard officers and other high-ranking officials within the U.S. and abroad. His diplomatic efforts and superior planning abilities fostered relations with U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Icelandic Coast Guard Commandant, during various meetings, tours, and exercises. Further, his astute expertise as the maritime domain subject matter expert strengthened corroboration of tactical knowledge and in meeting mutual strategic objectives between the Coast Guard, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Special Operations Command North, and foreign partners. As liaison officer for ARCTIC EDGE 2023, LT Emanuele orchestrated complex helicopter and communications operations in challenging Arctic conditions, advancing the Coast Guard’s goals for the region and unifying efforts with U.S. Special Operations Command during the exercise.

Active in the community, LT Emanuele serves on the board of directors for two non-profit organizations: the New York Chapter of Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement and the Indiana S.W.A.T. Officers Association. Respectively, his fundraising efforts garnered $2,500 in financial assistance and scholarships for fellow Coast Guard members and over $500,000 for Indiana state first responders. Volunteering to serve as the unit Training Officer and Education Service Officer, LT Emanuele mentored ten members in earning officer specialty codes and incident command system qualifications while guiding others to pursue graduate school and utilization of GI Bill benefits.

Congratulations, LT Emanuele, on your selection as the Reserve Outstanding Junior Officer!

Presented to the Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer based on the member’s achievements and dedication to service during the past fiscal year. The recipient of the Reserve Outstanding Chief Warrant Officer Award is also selected as the Coast Guard Reserve's nominee for the CW4Michael J. Novosel Award for Outstanding Chief Warrant Officer throughout the Department of Defense administered by the ROA.

Congratulations to Chief Warrant Officer Ramon Bernal, Coast Guard Port Security Unit 312

CWO Ramon Bernal excelled in his contributions to the Coast Guard through his leadership, performance of duties, public service, and dedication to lifelong learning.

CWO Bernal’s extraordinary leadership skills were evident during the unit’s participation in Combined Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2023 (TS23), an outside the continental United States multi-national exercise in Australia, where he served as the pre-deployment equipment movement officer in charge. In this role, he was instrumental in material preparations for the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry inspection, a rigorous evaluation of equipment to satisfy compliance with Australian bio-security regulations. He ensured stringent regulatory standards were met with zero discrepancies. During the exercise, he served as a Tactical Action Officer and coordinated a life-saving search and rescue response with PSU 312, the U.S. Army Beach Control Group, and the Joint Lighterage Control Center to aid in the safe recovery of a member who had fallen overboard at night. CWO Bernal also took initiatives to enhance living conditions for the 600-member joint Life Support Area by improving sanitation and tent berthing. Further, he coordinated and personally oversaw the repair of four U.S. Army warping tugs after they suffered extensive mechanical and electrical failures. His efforts allowed for continued operation of the critical equipment necessary to continue joint operations and meet Joint Logistics Over the Shore objectives.

CWO Bernal selflessly invests in the success of others through mentoring and assisting members meet personal and professional needs. He tailored individual development plans for the entire Engineering Department, organized multiple team study sessions, and consistently ensured positive recognition of unit members through awards recommendations, positive administrative remarks, and public recognition. This contributed to overall esprit de corps that greatly enhanced division and unit morale. Personally, CWO Bernal earned qualifications as a unit Tactical Action Officer, the Port Security Unit Insignia, and a Master of Science in Emergency Management. Further, he is diligently pursuing professional qualifications as a Certified Safety Professional and California Emergency Management Specialist.

Congratulations, CWO Bernal, on your selection as the Reserve Outstanding Chief Warrant Officer.