HONOLULU -- The Honolulu Navy League and Partners in Patriotism honored Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen during the 2014 Sea Service Awards at the Ala Moana Hotel, Nov. 14, 2014.
As guests partook in lunch, remarks were made by Honolulu Navy League president Carlyle J. Devoe, event chair Joseph P. Zettlemoyer and guest speaker Rear Adm. Richard L. Williams, the commander of Navy Region Hawaii.
Of the nearly 50 men and women who were honored, five were Marines from Marine Corps Base Hawaii: Capt. Janey D. Foster of Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Sgt. Jennie Pagan of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, Sgt. William A. Wiedeman Jr. of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Staff Sgt. Quinn W. Le of 3rd Radio Battalion, Cpl. Brett J. Massolia of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay and Cpl. Brent A. Gibbs of Headquarters Battalion.
Gibbs, the modeling and simulations non-commissioned officer with the Operations and Training Directorate, said he had never heard of the sea service awards before and thought it was cool to receive one. The 29-year-old native of Cardington, Ohio, schedules training aboard the base using the Range Facility Management Support System.
Pagan is the database administrator at MALS-24. This is the first time the Puerto Rico native has received this award.
“I was honored and surprised,” Pagan said.
Pagan supports the unit daily working with the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System, an aviation program that helps squadrons prepare for maintenance support.
Wiedeman, a platoon sergeant for second platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines, also said it was an honor to receive the award.
“All I want to do is do my job, take care of my Marines,” said the 25-year-old native of Kingsville, Ohio. “I’d rather see my Marines be recognized for their hard work.”
Wiedeman enlisted in 2010 because he wanted to be a part of something larger than himself and to serve his country.
“If I didn’t do it I would regret it for the rest of my life,” Wiedeman said.
Staff Sgt. John Woodham, second platoon commander, Echo Company, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines, nominated Wiedeman for the award. Woodham, of Dothan, Ala., said there is none more deserving.
“Since the day I’ve (met) him he’s put his Marines and his mission accomplishment before himself,” Woodham said. “He works harder, completes tasks more thoroughly and truly personifies what a sergeant of Marines should emulate. Bottom line — he’s awesome.”
Woodham described Wiedeman’s exceptional abilities as showing during Exercise Island Viper.
“He stepped into the platoon commander’s role and led 43 Marines during helo-borne and mechanized attacks,” Woodham said. “His technical and tactical expertise is far superior to Marines of equal experience and service.”
In its 54th year awarding sea service members in the mid-Pacific region, the Sea Service Awards recognize officer and enlisted nominees who have done exceptional work while serving in the armed forces.