VADM Charles A. Lockwood Award
Established in 1986, the Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood Award for Submarine Professional Excellence recognizes individuals (Active or Reserve) for achievement, contribution, specific action or consistent performance, which best exemplifies the traditional spirit embodied in the Submarine Force.
2025 Awardee
LCDR Peter A. Roemer, USN
for outstanding performance as Engineer Officer on PCU DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (SSBN 826)
LCDR Roemer’s leadership and technical expertise have been crucial to the establishment of the first new SSBN command in over 30 years, including the development of operating procedures for the S1B reactor plant. Drawing on his deep knowledge of submarine systems, he engineered standard operating procedures specifically tailored for the Navy’s new nuclear powered submarine with an electric drive. Understanding the importance of realistic, cost-effective training, he led the acquisition and development of an innovative Touch Screen Mockup training tool. Building on this success, he is spearheading a similar initiative for tactical systems to enhance training for sonar, Fire Control, and Wardroom readiness before ship delivery. His departmental leadership is exemplified by the 100% re-enlistment rate he achieved for Engineering Department Sailors. This is especially noteworthy when working in a shipyard environment. His leadership, communication skills and ability to build strong relationships with his peers, subordinates and over 30 outside entities have been a cornerstone of DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA’s success.
LCDR Roemer is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood Award for Submarine Professional Excellence.
Previous Awardees
2024 |
LTJG Jacob F. Klosowski, USN |
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2023 |
LT Jennifer R. Hedgecoth, USN |
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2022 |
LCDR Erin D. Gelhausen, USN |
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2021 |
LCDR Taylor N. Sheppard, USN |
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2020 |
LCDR Kristin L. Shaw, USN |
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2019 |
LCDR Vance R. Beatty, USN |
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More Awardees
2018 |
LCDR Alex Rinaldi, USN |
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2017 |
LCDR Matthew S. Thatcher, USN |
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2016 |
LCDR Nathan D. Luther, USN |
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2015 |
LCDR Kenneth M. Kirkwood, USN |
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2014 |
LT Adam M. Matthews, USN |
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2013 |
LCDR James G. Tuthill, III, USN |
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2012 |
LCDR John T. Frye, USN |
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2011 |
LCDR Bennett M. Christman, USN |
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2010 |
LCDR William H. Wiley, USN |
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2009 |
LCDR Michael S. Ansley, USN |
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2008 |
LCDR Christopher T. Horgan, USN |
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2007 |
LCDR Jasper Carlease Hartsfield, USN |
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2006 |
LCDR Travis M. Petzoldt, USN |
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2005 |
LCDR Jeffrey Lamphear, USN |
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2004 |
LCDR John N. Ward, USN |
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2003 |
LCDR Thomas R. Buchanan, USN |
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2002 |
LCDR Michael R. Toepper, USN |
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2001 |
LCDR Paul A. Whitescarver, USN |
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2000 |
LCDR Jeffrey W. Hoyle, USN |
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1999 |
LT Thomas R. Allbee, USN |
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1998 |
LCDR Kevin F. Kelly, USN |
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1997 |
LCDR Richard P. Breckenridge, USN |
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1996 |
LT Stephen Abdalla, USN |
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1995 |
MM1(SS) Christopher A. Soder, USN |
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1994 |
YN1(SS) Kevin B. O’Brien, USN |
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1993 |
LCDR Joseph E. Tofalo, USN |
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1992 |
LCDR Richard E. Self, USN |
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1991 |
LCDR James F. “Frank” Caldwell, Jr., USN |
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1990 |
LT Paul V. Merz, USN |
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1989 |
LCDR Mark Robert Myers, USN |
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1988 |
LT Dwayne C. Clark, USN |
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1987 |
LT Mark Myers, USN |
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1986 |
RMC(SS) Benjamin D. King, USN |
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Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, Jr.
Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, Jr. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912, Charles Lockwood served in the battleships Mississippi and Arkansas. Subsequently, he served in ten surface ships, commanding four; commanded eight submarines; and had command of two submarine divisions.
In April 1942, Vice Admiral Lockwood was assigned as Commander of Submarines, Southwest Pacific. In February 1943, he became Commander, Submarines, U.S. Pacific Fleet. As COMSUBPAC, he was responsible for planning and executing the submarine war against the Imperial Japanese Empire. This responsibility he carried out to perfection, culminating in U.S. submarines penetrating Japanese home waters in the Sea of Japan. As an astute tactician and truly professional naval officer, his service and accomplishments were recognized time and again in the form of medals and citations.
Extracts from selected citations are included here as examples of Vice Admiral Lockwood's service to his country and the Allied Forces:
"For exceptionally meritorious service… as Commander Submarines, Southwest Pacific… (he) served with distinction during a period when Japanese air and sea power was at its height. A daring, forceful and inspiring leader, he directed the operations of his forces aggressively in carrying the attack to the enemy with the result that the submarines under his command sank 58 enemy ships and damaged 41 others..."
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct… he initiated an experimental MK 14 Torpedo Test program… the increased efficiency resulted in increased tonnage of enemy ships sunk and this in turn has improved the confidence of the officers and enlisted men of the submarine force."
"... he brought his gallant command to the peak of combat efficiency in support of the Allied offensive against Iwo Jima and Okinawa... contributed materially to the success of our sustained drive to force the capitulation of the Japanese Empire..."