San Jacinto Recognized with Navy Unit Commendation
03 August 2021
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK --
On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, presented the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) a Navy Unit Commendation during a ceremony aboard the ship at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 2.
Cmdr. Grant Bryan, San Jacinto’s executive officer, attributed the award to the commitment and diligence of the crew.
“The crew worked hard in 2020 sailing with the [Dwight D.] Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG),” he said. “We were honored to receive a Navy Unit Commendation for that hard work; a fantastic way to acknowledge the efforts of San Jac’s [sic] warriors!”
During the 2020 deployment, which lasted 206 days without a single port visit, San Jacinto supported the IKECSG and operated with the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, Harry S. Truman Strike Group, Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group, and United Kingdom Forward Deployed forces.
As the Air Defense Warfare Commander in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations under Commander Task Force 58, San Jacinto’s efforts contributed to the safe withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, while also promoting peace and stability in the region.
Former Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal established the Navy Unit Commendation in December of 1944. The Navy Unit Commendation is presented to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself through extremely meritorious service not involving combat, but in support of military operations, which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service.
Commissioning Jan. 23, 1988 in Houston, San Jacinto is the third U.S. Navy ship named for the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. The ship is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and assigned to Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT).
SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of nearly 80 ships and more than 30 shore commands.
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