RADM Jack N. Darby Award
Established in 1986, the Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby Award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence of Command recognizes a submarine officer who has displayed exceptional leadership in command.
2025 Awardee
CDR Luke E. Kelvington, USN
for outstanding performance as Commanding Officer on USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735) (GOLD)
Commander Kelvington’s unwavering dedication, visionary leadership and relentless drive transformed PENNSYLVANIA into a model of operational excellence during an arduous CNO Availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The boat achieved on-time undocking, a feat few accomplish in the complex shipyard environment. CDR Kelvington spearheaded Arbinger Institute leadership training for officers and chiefs, and a separate program for targeted enlisted Sailors, embedding a growth mindset, ownership, and an emphasis on mental health. Under his leadership, PENNSYLVANIA (GOLD) earned the 2024 Pacific Fleet Best-in-Class Retention Excellence Award, outperforming 15 other SSBN crews due to a positive, resilient culture even during a challenging shipyard environment. Aware of the importance of physical and mental readiness, CDR Kelvington instituted ship-wide fitness initiatives which resulted in zero PRT failure. To ensure rapid integration of new crew members, he implemented a comprehensive guide for new arrivals, with a roadmap to success. The clarity of communication, expectations, priorities and definition of high standards led to a team of high integrity and rapid learning.
Commander Kelvington is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby Award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence of Command.
Previous Awardees
2024 |
CDR Robert A. Low, USN |
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2023 |
CDR Scott A. Bresnahan, USN |
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2022 |
CDR Joseph L. Campbell, USN |
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2021 |
CDR Nathan D. Luther, USN |
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2020 |
CDR William H. Wiley, USN |
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2019 |
CDR Eric D. Cole, USN |
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More Awardees
2018 |
CDR David L. Edgerton, USN |
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2017 |
CDR David S. Forman, USN |
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2016 |
CDR Patrick B. Clark, USN |
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2015 |
CDR Todd A. Figanbaum, USN |
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2014 |
CDR Christopher Andrew Nash, USN |
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2013 |
CDR Brien W. Dickson, USN |
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2012 |
CDR J. Carl Hartsfield, USN |
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2011 |
CDR Kevin S. Mooney, USN |
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2010 |
CDR Michael J. Stevens, USN |
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2009 |
CAPT Bradford S. Neff, USN |
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2008 |
CDR Blake L. Converse, USN |
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2007 |
CDR Jeffrey Todd Jablon, USN |
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2006 |
CDR Jeffrey E. Trussler, USN |
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2005 |
CDR Robert P. Burke, USN |
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2004 |
CDR Charles John Doty, USN |
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2003 |
CDR David J. Bartholomew, USN |
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2002 |
CDR Paul W. Siegrist, USN |
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2001 |
CDR Barry L. Bruner, USN |
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2000 |
CDR Bradley R. Gehrke, USN |
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1999 |
CDR Scott R. Van Buskirk, USN |
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1998 |
CDR Larry B. Olsen, USN |
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1997 |
CDR John M. Bird, USN |
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1996 |
CDR David L. Jones, USN |
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1995 |
CDR David H. Thieman, USN |
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1994 |
CDR Randell L. Zeller, USN |
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1993 |
CDR James R. Alley, USN |
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1992 |
CDR David A. Duffie, USN |
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1991 |
CDR Joseph E. Enright, USN |
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1990 |
CDR Thomas L. Travis, USN |
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1989 |
CDR James Wallace Metzger, USN |
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1988 |
CDR John H. Almy, USN |
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1987 |
CDR Richard A. Buchanan, USN |
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Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby
Jack Darby was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, upon graduation from the University of Colorado in 1958. He first served in USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DL 3). Following Submarine School in 1961, he reported to USS CAIMAN (SS 323). He qualified in submarines in Caiman, was accepted into the Nuclear Power Program, and completed a year of training in May 1964. He next served in USS DACE (SSN 607) and then USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN 600), where he fleeted up to Executive Officer. Command of USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN 618) was followed by command of USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640).
He went on to serve as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare, Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, Commander Submarine Squadron TEN and Deputy Director Attack Submarine Division, OPNAV, where he was selected for flag rank. Rear Admiral Darby went on to be Deputy for Politico-Military Affairs in the Plans and Policy Directorate, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In June 1985, Rear Admiral Darby assumed command of the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The Naval Submarine League annual leadership award honors this dynamic and inspirational officer. Throughout his naval career, Jack Darby instilled a sense of purpose and dedication to excellence in all who served with him. His devotion to duty, his uncompromised integrity, and his exemplary personal manner epitomizes the qualities one identifies with the term “command presence.” His assignment as Commandant of Midshipmen was particularly appropriate since it gave then Captain Darby the opportunity to touch the lives and careers of so many aspiring young officers. His last command, the Pacific Submarine Force, once again allowed him to influence directly officers in command of the ships of the force.