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2024 Uss Gonzalez Leadership Awards

The annual events for presentation of the Class ’66 Leadership Awards to a USS GONZALEZ junior officer and an enlisted sailor occurred Monday and Tuesday, 18 and 19 November 2024.

Monday evening ’66 Classmates, spouses and, for a first time, three ladies of ’66 Sail on Solo; Trudy Hoff, Lori Scarbrough and Mary Mobley, gathered at Villa Votava in Virginia Beach, VA for Hors d’oeuvres, libations, sea stories and updates on each other’s activities. The ladies brought dishes supporting an international menu and the weather was perfect for gathering on the deck and patio. Attending the ’66 gathering the evening before the onboard ceremony were: Tony (14) and Linda Franzitta, Trudy Hoff (Mick, 29), Tom (16) and Faye Martin, Mary Mobley (Joe, 4), Charlie (20) and Peggy Pfeifer, Rob (3) and Joyce Ploeger, Lori Scarbrough (Bob, 7), John Sigler (6), Hank Strickland (17), Bob Titcomb (15) and Carole Steinberg, and Charlie (17) and Sharon Votava.

Tuesday morning, John Sigler, Tony Franzitta, Chuck Grutzius (33), Charlie Pfeifer, Rob Ploeger, Hank Strickland, Bob Titcomb, and Charlie Votava, mustered at Pier 7 Naval Station, Norfolk at 1030. After clearing security we met with the XO, CDR Carline, USNA ’07, in the Wardroom for coffee while the crew assembled on the fantail. The CO, CDR Stegner and CMC Vines were called away to a SURFLANT Leadership Training session at the last minute.

At 1100 our Classmate RADM John Sigler presented the awards and checks to HT1 Luke Maguire, USN and LT Luke Teague, USN, while CDR Carline read the citations.

Following the award presentations Classmate RADM John Sigler “briefly” addressed the crew, His opening statement was: “Commander Carline, Men and Women of Gonzalez, Classmates. We are honored to be able to return for the 26th year to present these leadership awards to two deserving shipmates. I promise to be very brief. We’ve stood where you stand, and know that short is good!” (He kept his word – 4 1/2 minutes.)

He then congratulated the award winners and thanked CO, XO, CMC for leading GONZALEZ and the crew for extending terrific hospitality in spite of the demands during this intense maintenance and training period. He extended the thank you to the awardees families for supporting their sailors so they could do what has to be done. Chuck Grutzius, Charlie Votava and LTJG Ben Posner were also thanked for coordinating participation in the day’s event.


He concluded by saying, ”I hope when you look at us, you see eight retired senior officers who greatly valued our time on active duty and still care deeply about our Navy, and about “our ship” USS GONZALEZ. More importantly, when we look at you, we see the present and the future of the Navy we care so much about, and we see that it is in great hands! You share something in common with us, in that we served and you are serving in highly challenging times: we during the Viet Nam War and you now with multiple hot spots around the globe. —- God bless this ship and its crew, God bless your families, our Navy and our Nation, Thank you!”

For background information on the Class of 1966 Leadership Awards, USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66) and the USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66), including history and previous awardees, Click HERE.