FLTCM(SS) Frank A. Lister Award
Established in 2000, the Fleet Master Chief Frank A. Lister Award for Exceptional Leadership and Motivation while serving as a Chief of the Boat recognizes a submarine Chief of the Boat who has displayed exceptional leadership and motivation of his crew. The award is presented to a submarine senior or master chief petty officer while serving as or having recently served as Chief of the Boat in a submarine during the nomination period.
2025 Awardee
ITRCM(SS) Erik D. Whitaker, USN
for outstanding performance as Chief of the Boat on USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784).
Command Master Chief Whitaker’s superlative performance as Chief of the Boat was instrumental in achieving and maintaining a high-performance team on the NORTH DAKOTA. He is devoted to the Sailor’s success. From qualifications and work practices to cleanliness, preservation and stowage, Chief of the Boat Whitaker constantly and meticulously demands only the highest standards. His direct involvement led to a 92 percent retention rate, lowest unplanned losses in Submarine Squadron TWO, four Sailors selected as Chief Petty Officers, and NORTH DAKOTA being recognized as the Fiscal Year 2024 Best in Class U.S. Fleet Forces Retention Excellence Award recipient. COB Whitaker demands the highest Chief Petty Officer engagement across the ship, forward to aft, ensuring his Chiefs are always first to the problem and ready to resolve. Under his guidance, all eligible CPOs made significant progress on their COB qualification cards, two personnel qualified Engineering Department Master Chief, and 16 of the 18 CPOs and First Class Petty Officers were Squadron-ranked in the top third of their rating. COB Whitaker’s intercommunication skills and presence were vital in maintaining the great rapport with NORTH DAKOTA’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard project team, helping to maximize productivity.
Command Master Chief Whitaker is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Master Chief Frank A. Lister Award for Exceptional Leadership and Motivation.
Previous Awardees
2024 |
LSSCM(SS/IW) Jonathan L. Hollenbeck, USN |
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2023 |
MMNCM(SS) Jason S. Hays, USN |
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2022 |
CMDCM(SS) J. R. McGarrah, USN |
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2021 |
CMDCM(SS) Chris Yacur, USN |
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2020 |
CMDCM(SS) Timothy R. Glazner, USN |
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2019 |
FTCM(SS) Richard C. Heering, USN |
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More Awardees
2018 |
CMDCM Steven Rauch, USN |
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2017 |
ETVCM(SS) Anthony P. Torres |
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2016 |
LSCM(SS) Kevin M. Gibbs, USN |
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2015 |
Command Master Chief (Submarines) MMCM (SS) Wayne E. Fetterley |
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2014 |
MCMM(SS) Edward Thomas Rathgeber, USN |
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2013 |
CMDCM(SS) Eric H. Antoine, USN |
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2012 |
LETCS(SS) Eric J. Murphy |
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2011 |
CMDCM(SS) Shaun M. Peirsel, USN |
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2010 |
CMDCM(SS) Randy J. Huckaba, USN |
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2009 |
CMDCM(SS) David W. Smith, USN |
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2008 |
CMDCM(SS) David C. Lynch, USN |
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2007 |
Command Master Chief (Submarines) William T. Mitchell, Jr., USN |
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2006 |
Robert C. Ashton, USN |
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2005 |
Command Master Chief (Submarines) Rick Laurence Atkins |
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2004 |
CMDCM Owings, USN |
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2003 |
CMDCM(SS) James M. Cain, USN |
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2002 |
Master Chief Electronics Technician Mark C. Shearer, USN |
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2001 |
Master Chief Missile Technician (Submarines) Jeffery S. Hudson, USN |
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Fleet Master Chief Frank Lister
Fleet Master Chief Lister’s Military career began at age 16 when he enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard. He served one year and made one deployment before leaving to join the Navy. After completing recruit training in San Diego, California, he attended Submarine School in Groton CT, and was assigned to USS SEA FOX (SS 402), where he completed two WESTPAC deployments, serving as Leading Seaman/Small Boat Coxswain, Landing Party Team Member, Small Arms Petty Officer, Ships Diver (SCUBA), Sonar Watch Stander and Torpedoman.
FLTCM Lister was awarded numerous letters of commendations for outstanding performance of duty, and advanced quickly from Seaman Apprentice (E-2) to Torpedoman Second Class (E-5), setting a personal goal to become a Chief Torpedoman and serve as a Chief of the Boat (COB). FLTCM Lister then served aboard USS BUGARA (SS 331) as Leading Torpedoman, After Torpedo Room and completed one WESTPAC deployment.
In 1962, he attended Launcher Technician training at the Guided Missile School in Dam Neck VA and graduated first in his class. He was then assigned to USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601) (BLUE), where he completed six deterrent patrols and an 18-month shipyard overhaul in Vallejo CA. After overhaul, he was transferred to USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601) (GOLD), where he was advanced to Chief Torpedoman and served as Chief of the Boat/Enlisted Advisor, and completed five deterrent patrols.
In his next assignment at the Navy Recruiting Station, Salt Lake City, he distinguished himself as an outstanding navy recruiter, advancing from Field Recruiter to Station Supervisor to Zone Supervisor, Utah/Eastern Nevada. His zone consistently led the nation in Advanced Electronic and Nuclear Power enlisted recruiting.
FLTCM Lister next served as Chief of the Boat of the commissioning crew of USS LOS ANGELES (SSN 688), where he became the first person to be selected and assigned to a Chief of the Boat position by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS).
FLTCM Lister was selected to serve as the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force Master Chief (FORCM) in 1975 when he served for Force Commanders VADM Joe Williams, Jr. and VADM Ken Carr for four years. In 1979, he served as FLTCM for CINCLANT, ADM Harry Train, for three years. FLTCM Lister was also selected three times, in 1975, 1978 and 1982, as a finalist for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON).