Chief Paul Golden Saunders Award
The Chief Paul Golden Saunders Award for Submarine Professional Excellence recognizes Chief Petty Officers (Active or Reserve) for achievement, contribution, specific action or consistent performance, which best exemplifies the traditional spirit embodied in the Submarine Force.
2024 Awardee: ETNC(SS) Nicholas R. Bowles, USN
for superior professional excellence as Reactor Control Division Leading Chief Petty Officer on USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) (BLUE).
Chief Bowles exceptional leadership of the Reactor Controls Division resulted in the completion of over 200-man hours of critical corrective and preventive maintenance tasks which ensured the ship’s operational readiness to execute vital missions critical to national security. Leading a division of eight he sets the standards for every Chief Petty Officer on board FLORIDA. He takes on additional duties while maintaining his division at peak performance levels. His expertise and leadership directly contributed to FLORIDA’s achieving the highest possible grade in casualty response during the recent Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination. He fosters a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth, providing both on-watch and off-watch training. His unwavering commitment to personnel development resulted in ten crew members qualifying for their next watch station. He serves as a mentor to junior crew members in the ship’s office, extending his guidance and support beyond his division. His sailor-first approach, combined with his role as an Engineering Watch Supervisor, and his qualification as Engineering Department Master Chief, led to personalized professional development and improved advanced rates among the crew. The Reactor Control Division under Chief Bowles sets the standards for the ship in achieving Silver Dolphin qualifications.
Chief Bowles is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Chief Paul Golden Saunders Award for Submarine Professional Excellence.
Previous Awardees
2023
FTC(SS) Michael L. Daniels, USN
2022
STSCS(SS) Christopher D. Moulthrop, USN
2021
HMC(SS) Vanessa R. Poland, USN
2020
ETNCS(SS) Matthew C. Smith, USN
2019
MMNCS(SS) Albert D. Taylor, USN
2018
STSCS Edward J. Plew, IV, USN
2017
ETRCS(SS) Wayne M. Ryan, USN
2016
MMAC Jason F. Davis (SS/SW)
2015
ETCS(SS) Charles A. Simonds, USN
Chief Paul Golden Saunders
Chief Paul Golden Saunders was a highly decorated United States Navy submarine sailor who was twice awarded the Silver Star medal during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy in 1936 and served for 26 years before retiring as GMGC(SS) in 1962. Prior to submarines, Chief Saunders served on the light cruiser USS RALEIGH (CL-7) and on destroyers MCCOOK (DD-252) and SAMPSON (DD-394).
Paul qualified in submarines aboard R-4 (SS-81) in 1940 and subsequently served in BARB (SS-220), CUSK (SS-348), CARBONERO (SS-337), and THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN-600).
The only landing of US military forces on the island of Japan during hostilities included Saunders. They destroyed a 16-car train on the coastal railway with an explosive charge, using a microswitch under the rails to trigger the explosion.
Paul was highly regarded as one of the most decorated enlisted men in the Submarine Service, distinguishing himself during World War II while serving on board the BARB. Paul made all twelve of BARB’s war patrols, five in the Atlantic and seven in the Pacific and was Chief of the Boat (COB) for patrols #9–12. He was also COB for the submarines CUSK, CARBONERO, and THEODORE ROOSEVELT.