Since Kings Point is a Federal installation under the Department of Transportation, under the purview of the Maritime Administration, all faculty and staff are eligible to receive their agency’s awards and decorations. In addition, some hold commissions in the United States Maritime Service (USMS); Kings Point remains the nucleus for the USMS. Like the midshipmen under their charge, members of the USMS may wear decorations awarded to them by any agency or military organization. Curiously, USMS does not have a tradition of awarding its members medals and ribbons and has only done so in recent years.
For the most part, awards and decorations specific to members of the USMS at the United States Merchant Marine Academy are limited to certificates, a ribbon, and a single medal.
Department of Transportation
Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award (Federal – Department of Homeland Security)
Given the superb handling of President George W. Bush’s visit to the Academy as the keynote commencement speaker on June 19, 2006 – the first visit to Kings Point by a sitting U.S. President – the Academy’s Regiment, faculty, and staff was awarded the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award. This was the only award of DOT Outstanding Unit Award after 2003.
vanguard sku 7750400 “DOT Outstanding Achievement with Small Frame”
Maritime Service
Maritime Service Personal Achievement Medal (Federal – Department of Transportation)
This medal was first mentioned in an Academy communiqué in 2015; and this was for its award to a midshipman. In this particular circumstance, it was awarded in the face of grave personal danger; the midshipman was protecting the lives of his fellow shipmates. The second mention of the medal was in 2018 when it was awarded to an Academy staffer. This is the only known image of the medal; thus far I have been unable to locate the mint, nor is it any Government Orders – it may be a locally produced and locally awarded medal.
Many thanks to Mr. Cancel for providing an image of his award.