RADM Frederick B. Warder Award
Established in 1986, the Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder Award for Outstanding Achievement recognizes a specific action, contribution or continuing performance, which most positively influenced the reputation, readiness or future well-being of the submarine force. The award is presented to a government employee (Civilian, Active or Reserve military; LCDR or junior).
2024 Awardee: LTJG Elizabeth Rullo, USN
for outstanding meritorious service as the Head of the Navigation-Operations Department in USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774).
LTJG Rullo was the driving force in the development of detailed operational plans to execute complex mission tasking through deployments in the European Command Area of Responsibility (EUCOM AOR). She directed a detailed, steady, on-time achievement of all pre-deployment objectives which resulted in a properly prepared team. Throughout pre-deployment preparations and deployment missions, evolutions, port calls, and exercises, she developed detailed lessons learned that were shared with the force. Submarines deploying to the EUCOM AOR will benefit for years to come due to the diligence and detail provided by her input in lessons learned messages she prepared. As a result of her energy, enthusiasm, and leadership VIRGINIA excelled in two extremely diverse missions vital to national security. Her efforts enabled VIRGINIA to show the Submarine Force the awesome power of new technology. She is a gifted watch officer and tactician who understands submarine operations and mission areas far above her peers. She is a master in operational planning, a tactical expert that drives innovation, and an extremely talented teacher and mentor to all the crew. She was recognized by multiple senior leaders as a top performer.
LTJG Rullo is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Previous Awardees
2023
CSS2(SS) Dakota J. Aubry, USN
2022
LT Curtis R. Olsen, III, USN
2021
CDR Michael S. Hartzell, USN
2020
LCDR Jeremy W. Wheelis, USN
2019
Mr. Mark A. Tuohy
2018
HM2 Prudencio C. Sy, USN
2017
Mr. Mark A. Cook
2016
LCDR Jonathan V. Ahlstrom, USN
2015
Mr. Michael J. Carreiro
Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder
The Naval Submarine League Outstanding Achievement Award is named for Rear Admiral Frederick Burdette Warder, USN (Ret). Rear Admiral Warder was a true hero of the Submarine Service during World War II and a dynamic leader throughout his active career. As a result of his aggressive and innovative leadership during a war patrol, he was dubbed “FEARLESS FREDDIE,” by his crew on SEAWOLF.
A member of the 36th class at the Submarine School, he served in S-16 during his initial submarine training and went on to command S-38 and then USS SEAWOLF (SS 197). He completed seven war patrols in command of SEAWOLF, and is credited with sinking eight Japanese ships totaling 38,900 tons. For his performance in Seawolf, he was cited for “displaying great courage and leadership in the face of aggressive enemy advances…” Later, he was assigned by Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet as the Commander of the second Wolfpack, with Snook, Harder, and Pargo in the pack. Their combined action sank seven ships.
His wartime duties concluded with his assignment as Commander Submarine Division 122. From 1944 to 1946, then Captain Warder was Commanding Officer of the Submarine School. Here again, the young submarine officers gained from his leadership, and many of them became the first commanding officers of our early nuclear powered and ballistic missile submarines. RADM Warder’s submarine career culminated in his assignment as Commander Submarine Force U. S. Atlantic Fleet, where his leadership was again felt, as submarines moved into the era of nuclear power and the sea based leg of the nation’s triad of strategic defense.